With the announcements made by SA's Finance Minister in his budget speech yesterday the following dramatic increases for the Gauteng traveller.
a) A 20c increase in the SA Fuel Levy
b) An 8c increase in the RAF Levy
c) A new toll of 33c per km for the privilege to drive on Gauteng's roads.
That is a total of 61c per kilometer you drive in Gauteng. If we were to look at the typical employee living in Pretoria whilst traveling to Johannesburg, in a modest car, with modest maintenance costs (services only) and relatively cheap tyres you will now cough up a grand total of R2,85 per kilometer of which a grand total of 75cents are for new taxes (what ever you want to call it) and for indirect VAT.
With the average Gauteng worker bee driving approximately 60km's to work and back (think that is modest enough) the government will earn a grand total of R 899-00 per month additional tax revenue if you travel five times a week on our astounding free ways.
But that is not all, lets look at the inflationary measures on basic foods and commodities, to go shop at your favourite shop will now cost you a potential extra cost of 61c per kilometer there and back and more so the poor delivery vehicle would have also paid 61c per kilometer extra to get your favourite products to your favourite shop.
No who says a government does not know how to make its citizen pay its due's. When over 80% of the price of fuel in South Africa is currently made up of government levies and taxes.
Now I am sure most of you are now in the mood for either a quick puff or a drink, by doing that you will be donating close to 50c per smoke and an extra R1-00 per beer , lets not get to depressed by calculating a tot of good old whiskey.Also don't forget you can pay as much as 61c per kilometer to go restock again.
