EFF files urgent court application to suspend increase in fuel levy
In his budget speech last week, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the hike would take effect on 4 June.
Picture: Pexels
JOHANNESBURG - The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has filed an urgent court application seeking to suspend the increase in the fuel levy.
In his budget speech last week, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the hike would take effect on 4 June.
Petrol is set to increase by 16 cents per litre while diesel by 15 cents a litre.
In papers filed in the Western Cape High Court, the EFF said the Finance Minister does not have the powers to unilaterally increase taxes or levies without consent from Parliament.
During the budget speech, Godongwana tabled before Parliament several bills that make up the national budget.
He also tabled the fiscal framework policy, which the fuel levy would fall under.
In its court papers, the EFF said the framework, which makes its revenue assumptions based on an increase in the fuel levy, is currently before the finance standing committee for public hearings.
The EFF said after the public hearings, the standing committee on finance must produce a final report which it will present to Godongwana.
After considering the report, the minister will have to present it back to Parliament for a vote.
The EFF said all these steps are impossible to complete before 4 June when the fuel levy increase takes effect.
ALSO READ: MPs say impact of fuel levy increase will be 'far worse' than VAT hike