President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government is considering further measures to protect South Africans from rising fuel prices as global oil costs continue to put pressure on household budgets.
Fuel prices are expected to increase again in the coming weeks, raising concerns about the impact on the cost of living, particularly for financially strained households.
Higher fuel costs are likely to have a knock-on effect on food prices, transport and other essential goods and services, placing additional pressure on consumers amid sluggish economic growth.
Ramaphosa says the government previously spent R24 billion on fuel subsidies to cushion consumers against rising prices, but warned that such interventions require resources that would otherwise be allocated to other government programmes.
“We are not the only country that is affected by rising fuel prices, and of course there are various responses by various entities and governments and businesses, and we are giving serious consideration on what needs to be done,” Ramaphosa said.
He said the government was assessing its options following renewed increases in global oil prices, as countries around the world consider ways to manage the impact.
“You must remember that when the fuel price rose a few months ago, government intervened and poured into the subsidy system about R24 billion. Now that is R24 billion that we are removing from other programmes,” he said.
Ramaphosa added that the government was also considering how best to respond to the latest increases.
Meanwhile, the president has commented on the political pressure facing African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula following a Constitutional Court ruling involving six municipalities.
Ramaphosa said the ruling had eased the pressure on Mbalula, who had faced scrutiny over allegations relating to the handling of the party’s electoral lists in the affected municipalities.
Following the court judgment, Mbalula collapsed while addressing the media, with reports suggesting he had been overwhelmed by relief following the outcome.
“You know, the Secretary-General obviously is elated, and the burden that was weighing on his shoulders is off, and he can now focus on running the elections for the ANC,” Ramaphosa said.
Mbalula has faced mounting pressure from some members of the ANC’s National Working Committee in recent weeks, with threats that the National Executive Committee could push for his suspension over the alleged mishandling of the electoral lists.
The Constitutional Court ruling has brought relief to the party’s leadership as the ANC continues preparing for upcoming elections.