The Herald hit the streets to find out what locals had to say about the fuel price increase to come into effect on 3 June.

Fuel prices have been favourable since lockdown, although many motorist were unable to reap the benefits as most people were confined to their homes. Now that the country has moved to Level 3 with more vehicles on the roads, prices have increased.

According to the Department of Energy, both grades of petrol – 93 and 95 (ULP and LRP) – will increase by R1,18, and diesel users will pay 22 cents more per litre.

This is what motorists had to say about the sudden and considerable price increase:

Lucky Makhathini from Toekomsrus said this will cost him a lot and will affect his monthly budget.

“I was expecting lower prices because we are still in lockdown and not everyone is working. This is bad. Not so long ago the prices were good to all of us, and we hoped it would last at least until the lockdown was over,” he said.

Taxi driver, Ernest Mphetho from Mohlakeng said he is very angry because this means they will not make any profit.

“The petrol price increase will affect us badly. With no profit it means we are no longer working, but helping the public. A load of 10 people is peanuts in a day. I do six loads with the distance I drive; I have to take all that money to fill the petrol tank. We as drivers, owners and queue marshals were promised a relief fund, but we haven’t received it,” he said.

Wiekus de Beer from Middelvlei said this is a bad time to increase fuel prices, especially with the current state of our economy.

“Most people are not working, but they will be expected to be back at work on the next level of lockdown. This will be very difficult for them because they do not have money,” he said.