By Anita Dangazele
- Buhle Ziqwayi delivers building materials near Elliotdale and says high diesel prices are deeply cutting into his daily transport earnings.
- Economists warn that the sharp rise in diesel prices could push food prices up by 10% for struggling local families.
Buhle Ziqwayi has delivered bricks, cement and sand to villages near Elliotdale in the Eastern Cape for many years.
Now, high diesel prices are eating into his daily earnings.
Every trip Buhle makes costs more money, but the price he charges his customers stays the same.
“It’s affecting us quite badly because even hardware stores are now increasing their prices,” Buhle said.
Buhle charges R1,500 for a truckload to drive 8km from Elliotdale town to Futye village.
This money must pay for his time, the wear on his truck and the diesel. When the fuel price goes up, his profit drops.
In April 2026, the diesel price went up by more than R7 for each litre. The inland price is now around R25.90 to R26.11.
Buhle pays about R5,600 to fill his 200 litre tank. This is over R1,400 more than he paid before the increase.
The government cut the fuel levy by R3 for each litre, but fuel prices still went up sharply. Illuminating paraffin also costs more, which makes life harder for poor families.
The Central Energy Fund warns that the diesel price could go up again in May.
Most goods in South Africa move by road. When diesel costs more, transport costs also go up.
Small delivery drivers like Buhle must now decide if they should charge their customers more money.
Economists say food prices could go up by 10%. This will cost families hundreds of rands extra each month.
The Cosatu trade union says workers are already struggling. Many people spend a large amount of their wages on transport.
Buhle will meet other drivers this week to discuss what they should do next.
“We do not want to make life harder for people,” he said. “But we also cannot keep working at a loss.”
Pictured above: Ziqwayi and his men deliver sand at a homestead in Futye village, Elliotdale in the Eastern Cape.
Image source: Supplied
