MK party blasts GNU over fuel price hike as 95 petrol tops R30 a litre

The MK party has sharply criticised the government of national unity after a fresh fuel price increase that pushes 95-octane petrol above R30 per litre. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy announced the adjustment on Monday.

How the prices changed

The DMRE said 93-octane petrol will increase by R3.12 per litre and 95-octane petrol will increase by R3.33 per litre. When the adjustment takes effect, 93 unleaded petrol will cost R29.88 per litre, while 95 unleaded petrol will cost R30.25 per litre.

MK party response

MK party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu said working-class and poor South Africans, particularly those living in townships and rural communities, were being hit from all sides.

“South Africans are being crushed by higher borrowing costs, higher transport costs, and rising food prices, while government stands by and does nothing. Ordinary people are expected to keep paying for a government that refuses to protect them,” said Mahlangu.

Broader economic concerns

The MK party warned that the impact of the fuel hikes would extend beyond motorists, saying increased transport and freight costs would push up the price of food, school necessities and other household goods.

The party said government had failed to take proactive measures to protect consumers from global energy shocks and had neglected to safeguard South Africa’s refining capacity, leaving the country increasingly reliant on imported refined fuel.

“A caring government would have anticipated this crisis long ago. It would have protected national refining capacity, secured the country’s energy future, and ensured that international shocks did not land directly in the pockets of ordinary citizens,” Mahlangu said.

Calls for relief and criticism of policy choices

The MK party also criticised the government’s decision not to reinstate temporary fuel tax relief measures that previously reduced the General Fuel Levy, saying meaningful intervention could have softened the blow for consumers.

With 95 Unleaded petrol now exceeding R30 per litre inland and diesel up by more than R2.80 per litre at wholesale, the party warned the consequences would be felt throughout the economy.

“This crisis starts at the petrol pump, but it does not end there. Every taxi fare, every loaf of bread and every household budget will feel the impact. The people who suffer most are the workers, pensioners, and unemployed who can least afford another increase,” Mahlangu said.

The MK party accused the GNU of prioritising business and financial markets over ordinary citizens and called for immediate relief measures, greater energy security and policies aimed at shielding households from rising living costs.