'Winter is coming': Rising paraffin prices push SA's poor households into energy poverty

Low-income households in South Africa are facing high paraffin costs for cooking and heating, without benefiting from the temporary fuel levy reductions. Thapelo Mohapi, general secretary of Abahlali BaseMjondolo, emphasizes that families will struggle to keep their children warm and cook during winter. Paraffin, essential for those without reliable electricity, sees prices fluctuating between R30 and R35 per litre in low-income areas. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources confirmed that paraffin is not subject to the general fuel levy and therefore did not receive relief.