TODAY, motorists woke up to a shocking fuel increase.
Petrol will increase by 70 cents while diesel will go up by 80 cents.
This will come as a shock to motorists and public transport operators as it would be the third increase in a space of about three months.
As it happened recently diesel (0.005%S and 0.05%S) increased by 80 cents and 70 cents for petrol.
The 70 cents increase is for both the Unleaded Petrol (ULP) and Lead Replacement Petrol (LRP).
Due to the increase, diesel will once again reach the E10 mark.
Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy Principal Secretary Thembinkosi Mamba said the increase was necessitated by the rise of crude oil prices in the month of April.
He said the international product prices of petrol, diesel and illuminated paraffin also went up due to the increased demand for petroleum products as a result of global supply concerns.
Mamba said the strength of Lilangeni against US dollar helped to moderate the adverse effects of the high oil prices.
“The ministry will monitor the situation closely and consumers are advised to use fuel in more efficient manner as international oil markets remain uncertain,” he said.
Also in South Africa there has been repeated price increase of fuel. The recent increase was effected on May 4 but Swaziland fuel prices are still lower.
The last increase of fuel necessitated the increase of bus fares in some of the country’s routes as transport operators felt they were making a loss. Transport operators decided to charge the gazetted fares instead of lowering them.
The Swaziland Commercial Amadoda Road Transportation Council (SCARTCO) has said they are considering approaching government with about setting new bus fares.
