Massive fuel price hike hits students too
The increase in fuel prices at midnight on 3 November means that consumers are paying about R19,50 per litre for petrol and R17,23 for diesel – a development that will also cause food prices to go up due to the cost of transporting goods.
The reasons for the increase include tax collection – as fuel is heavily taxed by the government – as well as high oil prices globally because of a big demand and a weak rand/dollar exchange rate, which means South Africa has to pay more for fuel because of the currency.
After some ups and downs in the petrol and diesel prices since September, organisations like the AA warned in October that a massive hike should be expected in November.
The increase is affecting student motorists. Education student at the North-West University (NWU), Thuto Molusi (24) said “the petrol price increase is really killing me. Before the increase [in September], I used to pay R300 for petrol and it would last till the weekend. But now, if I pay R300, it will only last for a week, excluding the weekend”.
According to Molusi people are not travelling as much as they want to as they have to save every last cent for other necessities.
Usually when the petrol price increases, taxi commuters are also affected as taxi owners try to recover the increase from consumers.
A taxi driver told 3SM on 4 November there will not be an increase until further notice.
Serame Mpedi, the chairperson of the Greater Potchefstroom Taxi Association, did not respond to requests for further information.
Prudence Mabhongo (19), a second-year BA sociology and geography student at the NWU, said after September’s price hike: “I don’t think I will be affected by the petrol increase this time around, as the taxi fare has already risen by R3 since the beginning of the corona pandemic”.
Katlego Marumo (20), a third-year BSc in psychology and physiology student supported Mabhongo’s comment. She said at the time [September] drivers may increase their fees if the fuel prices go up by 50c or R1 – which has now happened.
Marumo said on 4 November she was not happy with the prospect of an increase. She already saved money to go home for December, but is worried that the savings will not be enough.
Mabhongo added “it will not be fair on us as passengers if drivers continue increasing the fare we pay because when the petrol price decreases, they will never decrease our fare”.
Jason Knoetz (26), a third-year communication student at the NWU said “it is not fair for the government to continue increasing the petrol price, especially in this economic state our country and its people are facing.” – Zanele Mhlambi, Beunica Williams, Reitumetse Mooki and Oldrin Masowa