The never-ending petrol price increases have South Africans up in arms.
Jandré Bakker, spokesperson for the provincial Department of Transport and Public Work, says petrol prices in July is at its highest level.
“With effect from Wednesday (6 July), the price of 93 octane petrol will rise by R2,37 per litre to R26,31, 95 octane by R2,57 per litre to R26,74, low sulphur diesel up by R2,30 per litre to R25,40 (inland price) and 500 ppm diesel by R2,31 per litre to R25,53.
“The price of illuminating paraffin will increase by R2,21 per litre. This will mean fuel prices are nearly R10 per litre more than they were a year ago.”
This week, Weslander spoke to local residents, who shared their thoughts and concerns about petrol prices and as many feel it is outrageous.
Nosipho Lisa, a resident of Vredenburg, says the continued rise in petrol prices has definitely affected her negatively. Taking short drives over weekends is something she does often.
“Now I have immediately stopped doing that, as I am saving the petrol only for work travel. Roughly now a tank that used to last me three weeks lasts only a week!”
Lisa says often motorists get “the shock of their lives” when filling up with R500 nowadays, as it lasts for only a few kilometres.
Hand-in-hand with the petrol price increase is the rise in food prices. Lisa says she has a smaller household than most, and does not have to spend much on groceries but “even the basic necessary food items are also costly.”
Ashley Constant, a resident of Saldanha, has two views when it comes to the increase.
“Economically it is affecting everyone as all prices are going up and people are struggling,” he said, “but from an environment point of view people are not driving as much and polluting the air.”
Esmarelda Mckay, also from Saldanha, says the increase is not fair to anyone who is already struggling.
