BuaNews (Tshwane)
Edwin Tshivhidzo
26 June 2008
Pretoria — Governments throughout Africa must unite against the high fuel prices, says Deputy Director General in the Department of Minerals and Energy, Nhlanhla Gumede.
Addressing the media in Pretoria on Thursday after a meeting with stakeholders in the energy sector and representatives from Transnet, Mr Gumede said the government was concern about the high fuel prices which resulted in even higher food prices.
"It is not something that the South African government can deal with alone, private companies and governments throughout the world must collectively deal with the issue," he said, adding that government needed partners.
At the meeting, parties discussed the Energy Security Master Plan which outlines South Africa's energy security strategy and includes the integrated energy modelling and planning approach.
Connel Nqcukana, Executive Director of the South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA) said to curb the high fuel prices affecting motorists' pockets, they should avoid taking unnecessary trips and start up lift clubs.
South Africans should brace themselves for a further petrol price hike. Fuel is expected to rise by about 70 cents per litre, starting from next week Wednesday.
This will bring the petrol price to over R10 a litre. Motorists are now paying between R9.81 and R9.96 a litre, depending on the grade of petrol.
Petrol price increase is influenced by the country's weak rand and the increasing crude oil price.
The department has expressed concern about the increasing thugery at filling stations where some motorists leave the stations without paying for the fuel and in some instances petrol attendance are attacked.
Department's Acting Head of Communications Bheki Khumalo said such acts must stop.
So far two petrol attendances had been killed and a number of cases were reported to the police about motorists who left without paying. -
Mandela speaks out against crisis in Zim <mailto:mohauram@mpg.gov.za>
By Nthambeleni Gabara
London - Former South African President Nelson Mandela has added his voice to the growing chorus of world leaders condemning the situation in neighbouring Zimbabwe.
Mr Mandela spoke out against the violence in the country during a dinner to celebrate his 90th birthday in London's Hyde Park on Wednesday night.
The event was attended by the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown and former United States President Bill Clinton.
"We have seen the outbreak of violence against fellow Africans in our own country and the tragic failure of leadership in our neighbouring Zimbabwe," he said.
The world icon for reconciliation and democracy, said that the world remains beset by so much human suffering, poverty and deprivation.
He said it was in everyone's hands to make the world a better place for all, especially the poor, vulnerable and marginalised.
Mentioning some of the failures of current leaders, Mr Mandela said: "We look back at much human progress, but we sadly note so much failing as well. In our time we spoke out on the situation in Palestine and Israel and that conflict continues unabated.
"We warned against the invasion of Iraq and observe the terrible suffering in that country. We watch with sadness the continuing tragedy in Darfur," he said.
The former President said it was now in the hands of the current generation to help rid the world of suffering.
Mr Mandela's birthday dinner was held to raise funds for his global charity projects, The Nelson Mandela Foundation and the 46664 campaign.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation has also signed an open letter from leaders, organisations and individuals in Africa calling for free and fair run-off elections in Zimbabwe on Friday
"We are profoundly concerned by the situation in Zimbabwe and would like to join all freedom-loving people who have added their voices to the growing world-wide call for true democracy there.
"We urge others to do the same," said Achmat Dangor, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Some of the leaders who endorsed the letter are Graca Machel, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Anan, Zwelinzima Vavi and former Tanzanian and Botswana Presidents, Benjamin Mkapa and Festus Mogae.
On Tuesday President Mugabe's government vowed to go ahead with a presidential run-off election despite the withdrawal of opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai, citing political violence against his supporters.
Mr Tsvangirai, who left the Dutch embassy in Harare on Wednesday, pulled out of the run-off election, by sending an official letter to the electoral commission Tuesday.
He had apparently sought refuge at the embassy out of fear of being arrested.
On Wednesday, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) troika countries held an emergency meeting in Swaziland to discuss the political crisis in Zimbabwe.
"The meeting discussed how the SADC and its troika organ on politics defence and security can help Zimbabwe to get out of its current state of conflict," according to a SADC statement.
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