For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Shomolekae.

Making headlines: Petrol, diesel prices to go up by more than 70c/ℓ on Wednesday; DA threatens legal action if Ramaphosa pushes through NHI Bill; And, Hill-Lewis urges Ramaphosa to fast-track devolution of rail, policing powers to deal with crises

Petrol, diesel prices to go up by more than 70c/ℓ on Wednesday

Both 93 and 95 unleaded petrol and lead replacement petrol are going to cost an additional 75c/ℓ from February 7.

The cost of diesel is also going to increase. For 0.05% sulphur diesel, consumers can expect to pay an additional 73c/ℓ at the pumps and for 0.005% sulphur diesel an extra 70c/ℓ.

Wholesale illuminating paraffin will also increase in price by 53c/ℓ , while the single maximum national retail price of illuminating paraffin will go up by 71c/ℓ . Additionally, the maximum liquefied petroleum gas retail price will rise by 37c/kg.

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe said that the monthly fuel price adjustments were based on current local and international factors.

International factors include that South Africa imports both crude oil and finished products at a price set at the international level, including importation costs.

DA threatens legal action if Ramaphosa pushes through NHI Bill

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen promised that if President Cyril Ramaphosa rams through the National Health Insurance Bill, the DA will immediately take him to court to protect the country’s health system against what the DA calls the African National Congress’s gutting of the country’s health system.

Steenhuisen was outlining the DA’s blueprint to “rescue South Africa” after the 2024 general elections, when he said a new government would immediately prepare to introduce a new Budget to reflect its new priorities.

Steenhuisen said the DA fully supported the call by business leaders for Ramaphosa not to sign what is widely being called an “unconstitutional” NHI Bill, and to instead refer it back to Parliament. He applauded Business Unity South Africa and Business for SA for taking what he described as a principled stand against the NHI, after they also urged the President to refer the Bill back to Parliament.

The NHI Bill was passed by the National Council of Provinces in late 2023, and sent to Ramaphosa to be signed into law. Government has stood firm in its support for the Bill, brushing off warnings that it undermines universal healthcare instead of advancing its progress.

However, the Bill has been sharply criticised by doctors, health facility providers, and health insurance companies.

And, Hill-Lewis urges Ramaphosa to fast-track devolution of rail, policing powers to deal with crises

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis is looking to President Cyril Ramaphosa for answers on the delay of the national Rail Devolution Strategy, which could save lower-income families R932-million every year.

Hill-Lewis pointed out that Ramaphosa had promised that the strategy would be out in 2023, this after national Department of Transport director-general James Mlawua also said progress was being made to gazette a Devolution Strategy in 2023.

The lack of a functional passenger rail system was severely felt in Cape Town during the violent minibus-taxi stayaway, last year.

Hill-Lewis reiterated that the City of Cape Town’s rail feasibility study had shown that, with efficient trains, lower-income families could save R932-million a year. Further, 51 000 jobs could be sustained and at least R1-billion could be added to the local economy every year.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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