Motorists are facing further financial pressure as petrol prices are expected to rise above R30 per litre, while diesel has already breached the R30 mark.
The anticipated increase comes as households continue to contend with rising living costs, putting additional pressure on already stretched household budgets.
The prospect of higher fuel prices has also renewed calls for government intervention to provide relief to consumers and workers.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) is urging Parliament to urgently approve a R10 billion Special Appropriation Bill aimed at providing fuel-price relief through the Central Energy Fund’s Equalisation Fund.
COSATU says the proposed intervention could help cushion consumers against higher fuel costs, ease pressure on workers and limit the broader inflationary impact of rising petrol and diesel prices.
The federation argues that containing fuel costs could also help reduce pressure on household finances and limit the risk of further increases in borrowing costs.
Fuel prices have a significant impact beyond motorists, as higher transport and logistics costs can feed through to the prices of food and other essential goods.
With households already facing elevated living costs, the expected fuel-price increase is likely to keep affordability concerns firmly in the spotlight.
The proposed R10 billion intervention now depends on Parliament’s consideration of the Special Appropriation Bill, while motorists await the latest official fuel-price adjustment.