Cash-strapped Joburg motorists, residents bemoan fuel price hike
Eyewitness News spoke to some residents as they grappled with the return of price hikes for the first time this year.
Petrol pumps at a fuel filling station. Picture: Zunaid Ismael/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Following the festive season's expenses, including holiday celebrations and back-to-school costs, some cash-strapped residents say that every trip to the pump takes a greater toll on their wallets.
After a three-month reprieve on increases, the Mineral Resources and Energy Department announced that the cost of petrol, across both grades, was set to rise by 75 cents per litre, while diesel would see an increase ranging from 70 to 73 cents per litre.
Eyewitness News spoke to some residents as they grappled with the return of price hikes for the first time this year.
"After that six-month-long jam, it's looking tough. It's not looking good," one Joburg resident said.
"You've got to be kidding me. Again?" another said.
"We just came out of Janu-worry and now the fuel is going up at the start of Feb. It's horrible," one resident added.
"We pay more for petrol than our neighbouring country, which we export to, so it's unfair to South Africa," one motorist explained.