The announcement by the Department of Energy that the price of petrol is set to rise again will be a serious blow to cash-strapped workers and consumers.

Workers will have to pay more to commute to work and back, and will also have to pay more for food and other consumer goods.

This means they will have less money to spend, causing the demand for consumer goods to drop further, which in turn will result in job losses.

Rising fuel prices lead to hardship for people already suffering from high levels of unemployment and stagnant or declining real salaries. Food and travelling expenses are already at an all-time high.

We are so dependent on fuel that even the poor cannot simply abstain from its use. They need it for heating, cooking, generators, transport and motorbikes. Fuel is a necessity.

The increase in the price of fuel is going to be the last straw that breaks the camel's back for many people.

Dineo Maboe

KwaMashu