Hidden costs
Rising world oil prices lie behind the higher cost of fuel, but the effect is likely to hit more than just the transport industry and motorists.
It could give a boost to the sellers of illegal petrol and diesel oil, whose trade was already flourishing and costing the treasury $2 billion a year in lost duty. With charges at around half the prices at the pump, suppliers are becoming more blatant in their activities, sometimes selling openly in car parks. The problem will quickly get out of hand unless the Customs and Excise Department clamps down hard on offenders.
Because large quantities of illicit fuel are stored without adequate safety precautions, these operations pose a serious danger to the public. The diesel sold is also especially polluting, containing 10 times the permitted level of sulphur.
Last year it was estimated an extra 1,200 tonnes of breathable suspended particulates - the cause of most respiratory disease - were produced through the use of illegal fuel.
If the SAR is ever to see clear skies and breathe clean air again, it will be because the Government has finally been able to formulate a transport policy that protects citizens from poisonous exhaust emissions, by keeping as many cars as possible off the roads, and by making all those left use cleaner fuel.
Legislators have so far been the main obstacle to cleaning up the atmosphere; but environmental awareness is increasing and they may find that they have to change their stance if they want to be re-elected. In the meantime, the authorities should do all they can to track down offenders by increasing the number of random checks on vehicles to discourage drivers from using the black market.
