The Automobile Association (AA) is demanding answers from the government on the circumstances that led to a delay in the release of news of record-high fuel prices.
“When a media statement is datelined four days prior to an election but delayed until 15 minutes before the polls close, it is difficult to conclude otherwise than that this bad news was deliberately suppressed to protect the incumbent government,” the AA said in a statement, adding that it would write to parliament to ask for precise reasons.
The department of mineral resources and energy released the fuel-hike adjustments on Monday night, instead of the typical last Friday of the month.
Driven by higher international oil prices and a weaker rand, the retail inland price of both 93 and 95 octane petrol went up R1.21/l to a record R19.50 from midnight on Tuesday.
The price of diesel rise R1.48/l while the wholesale price of illuminating paraffin rose R1.45/l.
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