EFF's challenge to fuel levy increase dismissed in court

THE Western Cape High Court has dismissed the EFF’s urgent application to interdict the 4% fuel levy increase, which takes effect today.

- MASHUDU SADIKE [e-mail]

The EFF had filed the urgent court case, challenging the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana’ decision to increase the General Fuel Levy. The levy increased by 16c per litre on petrol and 15c per litre on diesel.

The EFF, through Advocate Mfesane Ka-Siboto, had argued that the increase would unfairly burden the working class and poor, worsening inequality and violating constitutional rights. He said the minister's decision lacked both rationality and parliamentary oversight.

Ka-Siboto further told the court, in accordance with the Money Bills Amendment Procedure and Related Matters Act, only a law could serve as the proper instrument for the minister to impose a tax.

The EFF claimed that Godongwana overstepped his powers by announcing the fuel levy increase in his Budget speech without parliamentary approval.