By: Natasha Archary
A National Shutdown is being planned over the ridiculous fuel price increase, with backing from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
The party has vehemently rejected the R2.43/litre fuel increase which came into effect on 1 June.
In a statement, the EFF says the sharp increase did not come as a surprise as it believes the ANC government does not have a practical plan to combat the rising cost of living in the short and medium term, nor in the long term.
“The looting of strategic fuel reserves by the corrupt ANC ministers has left the country without any measures to address the increase in the price of crude oil and unpredictable currency fluctuations.”
The EFF said the real reason for the fuel increases are mismanagement of the economy, corruption and incompetence by the ANC
With fuel costs now sitting at a record high of R24 plus a litre, the concern is that the average South African household, will not be able to absorb the higher costs.
“A majority of households in the country cannot feed their families with a well-balanced meal everyday. Some workers can’t afford to even keep their jobs as the cost of getting to and from work is much higher than the cost of food and transportation.”
What’s more is that the fuel price increasing pushes the cost of most essential basics up, only for salaries to not increase at a reasonable rate to keep people from living hand to mouth.
The EFF will be convening an urgent meeting to consider an appropriate response to the latest fuel increase.
A National Shutdown is being considered to force National Treasury and the Minister of Resources and Energy to introduce immediate measures to drop the fuel price.
The tentative date for the shutdown is on Friday, 10 June, according to social media posts.
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