UASA is deeply concerned about the effect of the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) on its members and South Africans in general. Annual consumer price inflation was 7,8% in July 2022 up from 7,4% in June 2022 as announced by StatsSA this morning.

The main contributors to the 7,8% annual inflation rate were food and non-alcoholic beverages; housing and utilities; transport; and miscellaneous goods and services. Food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 9,7% year-on-year and contributed 1,7 percentage points to the total CPI annual rate of 7,8%.

Consumers are battling to survive as the price of basic goods and services continue to increase, becoming unaffordable to the man in the street.

Although fuel prices have showed a significant drop in the past month, this is never passed on to consumers who have to get to work and back, be it per taxi or private vehicle.

Thousands of South Africans want to find jobs but can barely afford to go for interviews, while they should be able to contribute to the household expenses.

UASA is disheartened by the economic conditions that our members and fellow South Africans are subjected to. We encourage South Africans to stay strong and not lose hope.

 

Issued by UASA Abigail Moyo