DA demands urgent parliamentary sitting over looming fuel hike

The Democratic Alliance (DA) wants Parliament to urgently convene a plenary sitting on Tuesday to discuss the imminent fuel price hike.

The house is not expected to sit at all this week, ahead of the Easter break and is only scheduled to return to discuss budget bills on April 21.

But the party’s Mark Burke has written to Speaker Thoko Didiza to request an urgent sitting on a matter of national importance.

READ: Fuel price hike: Don't expect too much from government says economist

"Parliament cannot wind down for the term while on Wednesday South Africans are set to face a petrol pump shock."

Last week, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana informed the house that he is part of a Cabinet committee looking into the impact of the Middle East conflict as a whole, including the oil price surge.

Burke, however, believes more pressure needs to be exerted.

"We are also calling on the minister not to hide behind the committee because we all know the speed at which ANC committees move. And that speed will not be of any help to South Africans."

The DA last week proposed that Godongwana slash the fuel levies by 50% to provide a R3.16 saving per litre at the pumps.