Energy minister Jeff Radebe announced that the price of petrol would rise by R1.34/l for 93 octane and R1.31/l for 95 octane at inland provinces on Wednesday.
“With this latest heavy fuel price increase, we can only predict a very bleak future for our country,” said Cope.
The party said the knock-on effects would include a rise in unemployment and, potentially, criminal activity.
“We can expect that crime will also rise, some people will resort to crime to look after their families.”
Radebe said the fuel price rise was a result of the rand depreciating against the US dollar, the cost of Brent Crude oil increasing and a rise in fuel and Road Accident Fund levies.