There are many causes that increase the petrol price.
A basic study identifies international and national reasons. Locals have limited control over the global factors because South Africa lacks ethical credibility after the Presidency of Jacob Zuma.
We have lost our moral high ground ironically as we climb higher up the corruption index. In a nut-shell, those who decide oil prices do not consider our opinion as important.
On the national front, the major culprit is taxation which feeds the Road Accident Fund (RAF) who is ironically also innocent and only seeks to fairly compensate the injuries caused by road incidences.
The actual cause of local petrol increases is those responsible for road incidences and death and the inanity of our judicial system to correct a failing situation that requires firm and deliberate action.
Example, in 2017 about 15 000 were killed in road incidences and in the last 10 years alone, about 134 000 died. This statistic is nearly as high as our murder rate which is currently 20 000 per year.
This road death stat does not include the millions injured who claim from the RAF for unlimited medical care etc. People must know that our petrol increase is directly connected to the number of deaths and injured as the RAF must pay families for loss of future income, hospitalization etc.
Ironically, on the flipside, those intoxicated, high on drugs and alcohol, causing many of the road chaos, in most instances, walk away free of charge. Thus innocent drivers pay the monetary cost of the intoxicated driver. A drunk can kill several people with limited punishment.
Sadly, many road victims are a result of stupidity. Locals continue to struggle crossing a road. Some consider that, when listening to music or engaging in social media on gadgets when crossing a road, they are immune and can miraculously repel cars from driving into them.
One day, like the rest of the world, when we learn to walk on pavements and cross the road as required, the price of petrol may not increase as much, as the revenue tax to the RAF is decreased.
Cllr Yagyah Adams
Cape Muslim Congress