African govts must unite against high fuel prices

Addressing the media in Pretoria on Thursday, 26 June 2008, after a meeting with stakeholders in the energy sector and representatives from Transnet, Gumede said the government was concern about the high fuel prices which resulted in even higher food prices.

“It is not something that the South African government can deal with alone, private companies and governments throughout the world must collectively deal with the issue,” he said, adding that government needed partners.

At the meeting, parties discussed the Energy Security Master Plan which outlines South Africa's energy security strategy and includes the integrated energy modelling and planning approach.

Connel Nqcukana, Executive Director of the South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA) said to curb the high fuel prices affecting motorists' pockets, they should avoid taking unnecessary trips and start up lift clubs.

South Africans should brace themselves for a further petrol price hike. Fuel is expected to rise by about 70 cents per litre, starting from next week Wednesday.

This will bring the petrol price to over R10 a litre. Motorists are now paying between R9.81 and R9.96 a litre, depending on the grade of petrol.

Petrol price increase is influenced by the country's weak rand and the increasing crude oil price.

The department has expressed concern about the increasing thugery at filling stations where some motorists leave the stations without paying for the fuel and in some instances petrol attendance are attacked.

Department's Acting Head of Communications Bheki Khumalo said such acts must stop.

So far two petrol attendances had been killed and a number of cases were reported to the police about motorists who left without paying.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews