Ramaphosa to Help South Africans Deal with Fuel and VAT Increase

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is due to announce economic measures to help South Africans cope with rising fuel prices and the recent VAT increase.

Parliament released a statement on Friday welcoming the South African President’s decision to establish a panel to look into the fuel price increase and to announce helpful measures to help SA with that and the VAT increase.

Parliamentary Committee Chairperson Mandla Rayi has welcomed the announcement, pointing out that Ramaphosa is taking an “extraordinary step” to help South Africans.

He said this is the first time a head of state has gone this far to assist the nation.

“It has never happened that a head of state will go this far, and this kind of commitment to a nation is most welcome.

“This is appreciated‚ especially if one looks at the impact these fuel hikes will have on small struggling businesses. The fuel price hikes were likely to impact negatively on economic growth and menial jobs,” said Rayi.

Ramaphosa said in the statement: “Our people reside far from workplaces and that simply means having to spend more on travelling and fuel cost.

“But also small businesses are the engine of growing the economy and job creation‚ which are the objectives of this administration.”

Rayi commended the President for his quick response, and said his establishment of the panel to look at how to ease the effect of these hikes is appreciated.

The measures are expected to be announced within a fortnight.