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The Automobile Association (AA) says while it welcomes the decision not to increase the Value Added Tax rate, it is dismayed at the increases to the General Fuel and Road Accident Fund levies. The increases were announced by Finance Minister Tito Mboweni who delivered his annual Budget Speech in parliament today.
The Minister announced a combined 25 cents increase to the two main fuel levies: 16 cents will be added to the General Fuel Levy bringing it to R3.63 on every litre of fuel, and nine cents will be added to the Road Accident Fund levy bringing it to R2.07 on every litre of fuel. This means citizens will pay R5.70 towards these two taxes alone, or around 35 to 40 percent on every litre of fuel.
“We acknowledge that revenue must be collected towards the fiscus, and the difficult decisions the Minister had to make in preparing this Budget. However, as we pointed earlier, the increases to the fuel levies will hurt the poorest of the poor hardest, and will make transport costs that much more expensive for many who rely on transport daily to earn a living,” says the AA.
Another area of concern for the AA is the reduction in spending on transport, particularly public transport spending which will decrease by R13.2 billion over the next three years.
“Access to public transport is access to a job, education, healthcare, and so many other critical services. To reduce spending on public transport – which is already inefficient and unreliable – will make it even harder for many to improve their lives. Curiously, this comes at a time when our country is experiencing its highest unemployment rate ever. In our view spending on public transport should have increased considerably, not decreased,” says the AA.
Regarding the increase to the fuel levies, the Association noted earlier that a decision to increase the levies, even by a small margin, would be dangerous and damaging.
“These increases will invariably be reflected in increases to public transport and taxi fares. For those in our country who count each cent to get by each month, this is extremely worrying. The financial impacts of the increases cannot be underestimated and we are concerned about how this will impact on these citizens,” notes the AA.
The AA says apart from the increases, the fact that the Road Accident Fund levy is again increasing – and will now benefit more by more than R2 on every litre of petrol – is out of kilter with the message of curbing government expenditure, which the Minister highlighted in his speech.
The increases announced by the Minister today come into effect in April. Any levy adjustments are implemented annually and do not influence or account for any fluctuations to the price of fuel, which is adjusted monthly.
“The combination of reduced spending on public transport, and increases to the fuel levies, is sending a mixed signal to the population on government efforts to create jobs, and improve access to healthcare and education. Transport is a critical component of our economy and should enjoy priority in fiscal allocations; these steps seem to indicate government is of a different view,” the AA concludes.
About The Automobile Association of South Africa
The Automobile Association (AA) has been the trusted champion of the South African motorist and traveller for over 85 years. Along with our AA Accredited Sales Agents located countrywide, the AA offers access to over 50 benefits on 1 card as well as other travel and mobility services that extend far beyond 24-hour roadside assistance – from technical and legal advice, to emergency rescue services, roadside security and a mobile app suite. The AA offers specialised apprenticeships to help motor industry players build in-house skill, and short skill courses for individuals.
The Automobile Association of South Africa is a member of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme (AIT).
For more information please visit www.aa.co.za or aasa.mobi, or contact:
Automobile Association of South Africa (AA)
AA Public Affairs
011 799 1126 or 083 386 6954
press@aasa.co.za
