Mpumalanga DA pickets over fuel hikes

The DA recently took to the streets to voice its concerns over the recent petrol price hikes and called on government to cut the levies and taxes it charges for fuel.
The picket took place last Tuesday and Wednesday with many people joining.

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The provincial DA leader, Jane Sithole, said, “Our neighboring countries source fuel from South Africa, yet they pay far less than what the South African government charges its citizens.”Fuel taxes are ludicrous. The recent price increases will have an impact on all of us, not just motorists. Food prices are becoming expensive as a result of the fuel price increases, pushing everyone into poverty.

The portion of the money we pay for fuel goes straight to the government in the form of taxes and levies. The government has the authority to lower the rates. Fuel is more affordable in our neighboring nations because citizens pay lower taxes and levies.”

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Sithole argued that the taxes from fuel go straight to fund the current government’s corrupt activities.
“We are not saying we don’t want to pay for fuel, but we are requesting that the government stop overcharging its citizens. We also know that the taxes we pay fund a variety of government’s corrupt activities, as evidenced by wasteful and ineffective spending throughout the years. Taxes should be reduced by the government in order to help the poor and ensure that everyone can work and eat.

We are not requesting things from the government that are beyond its control, such as the war, Covid-19, or the price of a barrel of oil, but things within their control. The government should be compassionate and prioritise the demands of the people who elected them.”