Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has announced that a fuel price intervention plan will soon be tabled in Cabinet to tackle high fuel prices, the DA said on Friday.
Democratic Alliance (DA) MP and spokesperson, Kevin Mileham, said the announcement was a victory for every South African who had felt the impact of rising fuel prices.
“The government could simply not afford to continue turning a blind eye to the plight of consumers at a time when many are struggling to put food on the table,” Mileham said.
“Following a long, relentless, and sustained campaign by the DA for the rationalisation of fuel prices, the Government of National Unity (GNU), through the minister of finance, Enoch Godongwana, has announced that a fuel price intervention plan will soon be tabled in Cabinet.”
The plan would be a significant step towards alleviating the financial burden of citizens due to spiralling fuel prices and would be anchored on measures to ensure people could afford fuel and transport, he added.
“The announcement is in line with the DA's long-standing concerns that high fuel prices are exacerbating the cost of living crisis in the country. The soaring fuel costs have been driving up mobility costs for millions of South Africans who rely on transportation to get to work, school, and other essential activities.
“The DA has been at the forefront of the fight against high fuel prices, consistently highlighting the devastating impact these prices have on ordinary citizens. The party's campaign has included calls for the reduction of fuel levies, the removal of unnecessary regulatory costs, and a review of the fuel pricing structure,” he said.
The party has argued that these measures are essential to bring down the cost of fuel and ease the financial strain on households.
“As the DA eagerly awaits the details of the fuel price intervention plan, we will work to ensure that its proposals are consumer centric and deliver tangible relief to all South Africans,” Mileham said.