By Mkhuleko Hlengwa MP
IFP National Spokesperson
The IFP has today written to President Cyril Ramaphosa to implore him in taking the nation into his confidence by coming out of silence and addressing the nation on his action plan to cut the cost of fuel.
It appears that his task team has been set up to look only at zero rated VAT items and not at the suspension of the fuel levy to drive fuel costs down.
We sent this letter today out of serious concern that in the absence of solutions or a comprehensive relief package, President Ramaphosa must come out of hiding and tell South Africans exactly where he and the ANC government stands.
The Speaker of Parliament, Ms Baleka Mbete MP has already rejected the motion tabled by the IFP to debate the suspension of the fuel levy, and deemed it unimportant.
The IFP is currently in the process of finalising our plan for our national day of action calling for the suspension of the fuel price levy.
South Africans can no longer be kept waiting, while various task teams and elites sit in air-conditioned boardrooms making decisions that affect the poorest of the poor.
It is simply unfair that these price hikes not only in fuel but electricity will have an adverse and deleterious effect not only on the South African economy at large but on the general welfare of South Africans as they struggle to sustain their livelihoods.
It is the poor and marginalised who will ultimately bear the brutal brunt of the increase of costs to business that will simply pass on such costs to an already overstretched and economical burdened consumer.
This is an opportunity for President Cyril Ramapahosa to walk his talk and cut his cabinet, take strong action against corruption and looting of the public purse and declare austerity measures for all government departments – this with a view to make up the cost shortfall on the fuel levies.
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Mkhuleko Hlengwa MP
IFP National Spokesperson
071 111 0539