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Godongwana cuts fuel levy for petrol and diesel from 4 November

Published

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the relief in the medium-term budget policy statement on Wednesday: R1.50/l off petrol and R3/l off diesel until 1 December. Smaller cuts will follow until 5 January. The EFF rejected the move, while Cosatu welcomed it.

After 1 December, the cut falls to R1/l for petrol and R1.50/l for diesel. The reduction in the fuel levy for November and December is worth R10bn.

The EFF said the relief is an ANC strategy to win votes in the coming local government elections. It called the move a ploy for a dying liberation movement, not a plan. The party also said ending the relief in early December will send workers into the festive season with empty pockets.

Cosatu parliamentary co-ordinator Matthew Parks said the relief will ease the burden on commuters and lower inflation. He said it may also prevent a repo rate hike in November. Parks also said: "An overhaul of the fuel taxes and levy is needed, including fixing the Road Accident Fund."

The National Automobile Dealers' Association said the relief will give motorists much-needed breathing space. Other organisations said it is only a temporary fix.

Key facts

Who
Enoch Godongwana (finance minister); Matthew Parks (Cosatu parliamentary co-ordinator); National Automobile Dealers' Association (motor industry association that welcomed the announcement); EFF (political party that rejected the fuel levy relief)
What
During the medium-term budget policy statement on Wednesday, Godongwana announced fuel levy relief of R1.50/l for petrol and R3/l for diesel from November 4 to December 1, followed by smaller reductions until January 5. The EFF rejected the relief as an ANC election strategy, while Cosatu and Nada welcomed it.
When
21 October 2026
Where
South Africa
Status
Reported

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