Fuel prices are most likely to rise yet again in August, the
Automotive Association (AA) says.
The AA predicts an increase of 19 cents per litre for petrol
and 13 cents per litre for diesel, while illuminating paraffin might cost 22
cents more.
This would be the fifth consecutive month that fuel prices
go up.
“This is based on the unaudited mid-month fuel price data
released by the Central Energy Fund. International oil prices see-sawed during
the first half of July, but remained within a fairly narrow band and did not
contribute substantially to the price rises we are anticipating for next
month,” the AA says.
Last month, motorists saw the price of petrol hitting an
all-time high of R15.43 per litre.
The AA says the expected fuel price increase might be lower
if the current rand and fuel trends continue for the rest of the month (July),
but the possibility of further instability cannot be ruled out.
“The recent spike in fuel prices is cause for great concern
as it is impacting on the lives of all South Africans, especially the poorest
of the poor who rely on paraffin for heating, lighting and cooking.”
The association suggests that the time for
government to revisit issues of fuel levies with a view of reducing them
significantly has arrived.
