Godongwana cuts fuel levy to offer relief
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a reduction in the fuel levy to provide temporary relief to South Africans from November 4.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has reduced the fuel levy to offer relief to South Africans, announcing a cut of R3 per litre for diesel and R1.50 per litre for petrol. This temporary measure will be in effect from November 4, 2026, until December 1, 2026. Following this initial reduction, a lower amount of relief will continue until January 5, 2027, with the diesel levy reduced by R1.50 per litre and the petrol levy by R1 per litre.
The announcement came as Godongwana delivered his medium-term budget policy statement on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. The National Treasury has also lowered growth forecasts and warned of short-lived revenue gains, while introducing R10 billion in temporary fuel relief to ease household pressure. Opposition parties have dismissed the cuts as electioneering, though the GNU offered muted support.
The decision aims to ease household pressure amid economic concerns. While the full impact on government revenue is yet to be determined, the relief is intended to provide immediate financial respite for consumers facing rising costs. The duration and scale of the cuts reflect a balance between offering support and managing fiscal implications.
Why it mattersSouth Africans will pay less for petrol and diesel due to the fuel levy reduction.