EFF argues Godongwana has no powers to increase fuel levy

CAPE TOWN  - The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says only parliament has the right to increase the fuel levy and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana encroached on its powers.

The party has presented its arguments in the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday, insisting that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana failed to follow proper procedures when he unilaterally increased the fuel levy during his budget speech last month.

The party says it’s confident it will succeed in preventing the increase from coming into effect at midnight, and has called on the court to suspend the increase pending a review application.

Petrol and diesel are set to increase by 16 cents and 15 cents respectively.

EFF Treasurer General, Omphile Maotwe, says their argument is similar to their argument in the value-added tax (VAT) increase case, where they questioned godongwana’s powers.

"The minister is a member of the executive, and us on the legislature side; we are the ones that actually enact and make the laws in the country. So the minister is encroaching on the powers he does not have."

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