South Africa may eventually phase out fuel taxes, but replacing about R80 billion in lost revenue and funding the RAF remain major hurdles.
South Africa's annual inflation rose to 4.5% in September as transport costs jumped 10.8%. Food inflation slowed and rental growth eased, offering some respite.
Civil groups and unions held shutdowns in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria, demanding relief: use R10bn earmarked for fuel, cut levies and reduce pump prices.
IOL analysis shows petrol could rise about R1.80/l in November and diesel about R1.00/l, pushing prices to fresh highs and keeping pressure on consumers.
Ramaphosa warns further fuel-price relief could mean diverting funds from other programmes. Government previously spent R24bn; a proposed R10bn is under debate.
Rising fuel prices are adding pressure on pensioners who rely on the Older Person's Grant, making transport to healthcare and daily essentials harder and more costly.
Santaco will consult taxi operators, fuel suppliers and government after the latest fuel price increases. No taxi fare decision has been made.
Economists tell IOL that reintroducing fuel tax relief would hit the fiscus hard, require borrowing or cuts, and could undermine fiscal credibility amid record fuel prices.
SANTACO says it has made no decision to increase taxi fares after the latest fuel price hikes and will consult industry, fuel suppliers and government before...
Official October fuel rises of more than R3 a litre will push per-kilometre and monthly fuel bills sharply higher, IOL calculations show.