Fuel price hike: IFP’s request for debate in Parliament DENIED

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) is not happy with Parliamentary Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula’s decision to decline a debate on the recent fuel price hikes. The IFP says it had wanted MPs to debate and find a way forward on the costs of fuel – and the financial toll placed on already overwhelmed motorists.

“Our motivation for this request was the hope that we could find a way forward wherein government could consider re-structuring – and reducing – the additional burden imposed by the levies, which amount to more than a third of the cost of each litre of fuel,” said the IFP’s Narend Singh.

It comes as the Department of Energy made a blunder last week – announcing that the price of fuel would go up by 81 cents per litre, but later said the amount was 75 cents. Now the IFP says it’s curious as to whether similar errors have occurred before, sadly at the taxpayer’s expense.

“Although the DMRE stated that this was “the very first time” that they had announced an inflated fuel price increase, this unacceptable error does not inspire confidence, and one wonders what other errors and miscalculations might have occurred in the past”

IFP’s Narend Singh

FUEL PRICE DEBATE: IFP NOT BACKING DOWN

Despite their bid to have the fuel price hike debate being dismissed, the IFP says it will continue pursuing the matter in Parliament this week.

“The IFP will use every avenue available to us to pursue this matter, including in Parliament in the coming week. Government must be held accountable. The IFP has heard the cry of our communities, and we will not let this matter rest,” Singh says.

The party says it is in full support of organisations like the Automobile Association (AA), as well as other civil society organisations that are asking for a total review of the fuel price and an audit of all the components and processes that comprise the fuel price.

“It is of great disappointment to the IFP that the Speaker’s Office refused our request, and suggested we raise the matter directly in the House during the week’s Plenary sessions. Possibly, the Speaker was unaware – but the issue was raised during the week’s debates, yet the Deputy Minister of Finance flatly ignored the question”

IFP’s Narend Singh