Ramaphosa says Govt looking at options as fuel prices climb

President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa is considering its options in response to escalating fuel prices , joining other countries grappling with rising global oil costs.

Fuel prices are expected to rise again in the coming weeks, which will further increase the cost of living for the financially strained South African population.

The economy is not growing at the desired rate by government, with critical sectors contracting in last quarterly surveys.

The cost of living is set to go up again with the projected fuel price increases.

Financially overburdened South Africans will once again feel the pinch as the ripple effect of high fuel prices will impact on food, transportation and other goods translating to less money in the bank for citizens.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government subsidised South Africans by R24-billion during the previous fuel price increase.

He says other measures are now being considered to cushion the public against the impact of rising fuel prices “We are not the only country that is affected by rising fuel prices, and of course there are various responses by various entities and governments and businesses, and we are giving serious consideration on what needs to be done.

You must remember that when the fuel price rose a few months ago, government intervened and poured into subsidies. subsidy system about 24 billion rand.

Now that is 24 billion rand that we are removing from other programs.

Now that it’s gone up again, everyone in the world is given consideration on what they should do.

So are we.” says Ramaphosa.

On political matters concerning his party, Ramaphosa says the Constitutional Court ruling on the six municipalities has lifted a huge weight of stress off the ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula.

Following the court’s judgement, Mbalula collapsed while addressing the media, apparently overwhelmed with relief following the party’s victory.

“You know, the Secretary General obviously is elated, and the burden that was wearing on his shoulders is off, and he can now focus on running the elections for the ANC.” Ramaphosa explains.