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Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Consumers at their wits’ end following fuel price hike

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Consumers say they’ve reached the end of their tether following the latest fuel price increase. The latest fuel price hike, which came into effect at midnight, will have a dire effect on the price of items, like food.

 

From today, petrol prices have gone up by R1.08 and R1.14 per litre, and diesel by between R1.94 and R1.97 a litre. This is on top of last month’s increase of R1.71 for petrol and R2.84 for diesel.

 

 

 

Smile FM took to the streets of Steenberg to hear what consumers have to say. Naqeeba Petersen is disgruntled.

 

“I am actually thinking about a civil war that is going to break out, because at the end of it all, people are going to start breaking in. Looting will begin.”

 

petrol fuel increase
No-one is unscathed. Image by Lizell Persens

 

She says she’s already had to make tough financial decisions.

 

“I had to cry one night, because I was hungry. I had no light, and it seems no-one is taking me seriously. Sometimes I don’t even have a candle’s money, which costs me R6. But then I think I can’t buy then I can at least buy me half a loaf of bread.”

 

Ashwin Benjamin manages a food stall in Military Road.

 

“It is difficult to cope. With food prices going up and wages not going up, it’s a very difficult situation for us. There are not jobs coming in, but food and petrol prices are going up. Electricity went up. Everything is going up.”

 

READ MORE: Fuel price hikes: Diesel to increase by almost R2

Lizell Persens
Lizell Persens
Lizell is a Cape Town-based news anchor, reporter and transcriptionist. She has been a journalist for the past 10 years, and started her career as a TV producer. The avid reader enjoys writing poems, fast cars, music, travelling, and exploring new food.

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