By Rorisang Rampheteng:
South Africa faces mounting economic pressure as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) issues a stark warning that the latest fuel price increases could push millions of households closer to the brink.
In a strongly worded statement released this week, the party described the hikes as devastating, arguing that they come at a time when citizens are already grappling with rising food prices, unemployment and a fragile economy. The EFF warned that the increases are not merely adjustments at the pump, but a direct blow to the survival of working-class families and vulnerable communities.
From 6 May 2026, petrol is set to rise by R2.04 per litre, while diesel will increase by as much as R4.96 per litre. Illuminating paraffin, relied upon by many low-income households, will jump by R4.21 per litre. While government has attributed the increases to global oil market pressures and instability in the Middle East, the EFF maintains that ordinary South Africans should not be forced to bear the burden of international crises.
The party criticised what it called government’s failure to implement long-term solutions that could shield the country from recurring global shocks. It argued that the temporary fuel levy relief introduced earlier this year by National Treasury and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has proven inadequate, offering only short-lived relief without addressing the structural challenges driving fuel price volatility.
According to the EFF, the impact of the increases will be felt far beyond fuel stations. Higher transport costs are expected to drive up the price of food and essential goods, placing additional strain on households whose incomes are already stretched thin. The party expressed particular concern over the sharp rise in paraffin prices, warning that it will hit the poorest communities the hardest as many continue to depend on paraffin for daily energy needs.
The statement further noted that workers across key sectors, including healthcare, education and transport, will see their disposable income shrink even further as the cost of living escalates. The EFF cautioned that the cumulative effect of these pressures could deepen inequality and intensify economic hardship across the country.
In response, the party has called for an urgent parliamentary sitting to address what it describes as a growing fuel and economic crisis. It is demanding that the Minister of Finance table a revised fiscal framework that directly responds to rising fuel costs and provides meaningful relief to citizens. The EFF also confirmed plans to approach the Speaker of the National Assembly to seek accountability from both the President and the Finance Minister over government’s handling of the situation. Concluding its statement, the party emphasised that fuel should be treated as a strategic necessity rather than a luxury, warning that continued inaction risks pushing more South Africans into deeper poverty and financial distress. – @NewsSA_Online
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