Neil Roets, CEO of Debt Rescue said that the buying power of consumers is being eroded by continual price increases that are outpacing the average inflation rate.
He added that the recent CPI showed how specific, essential household cost drivers showed significant upward movement, contributing to another rise in the cost of living, to 3.1% in March, up from 3.0% recorded in February 2026.
Roets told Business Report, “Equally concerning is the submission by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice & Dignity Group (PMBEJD) to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) earlier in 2026, highlighting the financial crisis for low-income households especially, due to the country’s ongoing cost-of-living crisis.”
He added that the Household Affordability Index, provided evidence that sustained, high food inflation coupled with wages that cannot keep up with essential costs, have systematically eroded the ability of millions of households to afford sufficient, nutritious food.
Roets said, “This is not a temporary inflationary shock but a persistent and systemic affordability crisis that is deepening with each passing month.”
Another worry for consumers was the fuel price hikes they had to endure in the past two months, with latest data pointing to further increases in June.
Roets said,” Consumers were hit by another tsunami of fuel price increases and higher electricity and water tariffs in April and May, while ongoing food inflation continues to out-price essential staple foods from the budgets of millions across the country. By far the most pressing issue for consumers is the cost of essentials such as electricity, water, food and petrol. This came through strongly in a recent Debt Rescue survey which sought to ascertain the financial and emotional state of citizens as they navigate the impact of the price hikes, showing that this is actively pushing households into crisis territory.”
“It is simply not sustainable to have an economy where millions of households are forced to choose between putting food on the table or keeping the lights on. Government interventions such as capping energy prices, providing special subsidies, and strengthening food security programs are urgently needed right now,” Roets added.