In 2018, there was a call from opposition parties and the ANC to freeze the fuel levy, which contributes significantly to the petrol price. 

This is said to be the second highest petrol price hike on record and the department says last year’s assistance was a once-off intervention. 

Factors such as a weaker Rand/dollar exchange rate and the price of Brent Crude oil contribute to the rise in the fuel price.

Economist Vivian Atude says the government needs to come up with proper mechanisms to deal with the fuel price.

“Remember because of the volatility in our currency the Rand, the energy department has no other mechanism than to increase the fuel based on fluctuations.”

Motorists are being urged to try and save costs where possible.

The civic action group People Against Petrol Paraffin Price Increase (Papppi) are planning a massive, nationwide protest against the increases next week, to coincide with voting day on May 8.

National Convenor for the group, Visvin Reddy, says at least 90 percent of South Africans have pledged their support for the protest.

"We are saying we will use our vote as a sign of protest. Now protests in the country are occurring every single day and they are becoming violent, people are dying, properties are being damaged and that is not the country we want our children to grow up in", said Reddy.

“This is the final nail in the coffin. We want to remind the government that 40% of the fuel prices comprise government taxes that support a corruption network. The taxes do not go towards the building and maintaining of our roads as expected,” he said.

Reddy said Papppi would have a nationwide protest on May 8 as South Africans take to the polls.

eNCA