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Godongwana cuts fuel levy to lower petrol and diesel prices

Published

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a R10-billion fuel levy cut in the medium-term budget policy statement on Wednesday. Petrol falls by R1.50 per litre in November and diesel by R3, with smaller cuts in December.

Petrol drops by R1.50 per litre next month and by R1 in December. Diesel drops by R3 in November and by R1.50 the following month. Santaco said the relief starts on 4 November, and that the lower amounts run until 5 January 2027.

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) welcomed the relief and said there will be no immediate fuel-related fare increases while the industry talks to government. Spokesperson Mmatshikhidi Rebecca Phala said short-term steps alone cannot give a lasting solution to the cost pressures on the taxi industry.

Opposition parties criticised the move. ATM parliamentary leader Vuyo Zungula called the R10-billion relief temporary and said government could deal with illicit trade in the fuel sector, where he said about R10 billion is lost.

The EFF said the ANC is using the cut as an election ploy ahead of next month's local government polls. EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said Parliament, not the National Treasury, should decide on raising and cutting taxes.

Key facts

Who
Enoch Godongwana (Finance Minister); Vuyo Zungula (ATM Parliamentary Leader); Sinawo Thambo (EFF spokesperson and Member of Parliament); African Transformation Movement (political party criticising the National Treasury)
What
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced fuel levy cuts in the mid-term budget (MTBPS 2026), lowering petrol and diesel prices. The ATM criticised the piecemeal approach, and the EFF questioned the timing as an election ploy ahead of local government polls.
When
21 October 2026
Where
South Africa
Status
Reported

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