{"id":40137,"date":"2026-10-23T15:14:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T15:14:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/?p=40137"},"modified":"2026-10-23T15:14:22","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T15:14:22","slug":"south-africa-unveils-measures-to-ease-petrol-prices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/south-africa-unveils-measures-to-ease-petrol-prices\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africa Unveils Measures to Ease Petrol Prices"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has introduced additional fuel price relief measures, with cuts to fuel levies starting on 4 November.<\/p>\n

The finance chief revealed that the diesel levy will drop by R3 per litre and the petrol levy by R1.50 per litre, effective from 4 November 2026 until 1 December 2026.<\/p>\n

After this initial period, the reductions will be lessened further until 5 January 2027.<\/p>\n

The diesel levy will see a cut of R1.50 per litre, while the petrol levy will decrease by R1 per litre.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese measures will provide R10 billion in support, at a fiscal cost of R10 billion in foregone revenue,\u201d Godongwana stated.<\/p>\n

To finance this relief, R10 billion previously allocated to the Central Energy Fund will return to the National Revenue Fund and be allocated to the Contingency Reserve.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis intervention will help ease cost-of-living pressures without compromising the sustainability of the budget,\u201d the finance minister noted.<\/p>\n

This relief effort follows several months marked by rising petrol and diesel prices, with an increase expected in November.<\/p>\n

As of 20 October, data from the Central Energy Fund shows average shortfalls of approximately R1.52\/litre for petrol 95 and R1.25\/litre for diesel.<\/p>\n

Petrol and diesel prices reached unprecedented levels in October, with petrol surpassing R30 per litre for the first time after a R3.33 increase.<\/p>\n

The upcoming relief follows a previous initiative by the Treasury in April, which reduced the general fuel levy by R3 per litre.<\/p>\n

Record High Prices Still Expected<\/h2>\n

While many consumers and advocacy groups should welcome the Treasury’s relief, fuel prices remain significantly high.<\/p>\n

Specifically, at the current recovery rates, the proposed November relief does not completely counteract the under-recovery for petrol, leaving a deficit of 2 cents per litre.<\/p>\n

If current recovery levels continue or further decline, petrol prices are likely to reach another record high.<\/p>\n

The outlook for diesel appears more favorable, as the R3 per litre relief is expected to convert what would have been an increase into a reduction in price.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Month<\/th>\nPetrol 95
Price<\/th>\n		Diesel 0.005%
Price (wholesale)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
March 2026 <\/td>\nR20.30<\/td>\nR18.60<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 2026<\/td>\nR23.36<\/td>\nR26.11<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
May 2026<\/td>\nR26.63<\/td>\nR31.88<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
June 2026<\/td>\nR28.06 <\/td>\nR29.26<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
July 2026<\/td>\nR26.10<\/td>\nR25.67<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
August 2026<\/td>\nR25.58<\/td>\nR26.90<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
September 2026<\/td>\nR26.92<\/td>\nR30.05<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
October 2026<\/td>\nR30.25<\/em><\/strong><\/mark>
(current record)<\/td>\n		R33.29<\/em><\/strong><\/mark>
(current record)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
November 2025 (CEF Recovery)<\/td>\n+R1.52<\/em><\/td>\n+R1.24<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
November 2026 (NT relief)<\/td>\n-R1.50<\/em><\/td>\n-R3.00<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
November (projected)<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nR30.27<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\nR31.53<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

It is also important to highlight that petrol prices are currently more than R10 per litre higher than levels prior to the onset of the US-Iran War in February and March.<\/p>\n

Diesel prices have risen more than R13 per litre during the same timeframe, even with the rumored forthcoming relief.<\/p>\n

Post-Iran War Price Adjustments<\/h2>\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Month<\/th>\nPetrol 95<\/th>\nDiesel 0.005%<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
March<\/td>\n+R0.20<\/mark><\/td>\n+R0.65<\/mark><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April<\/td>\n+R3.06<\/mark><\/td>\n+R7.51<\/mark><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
May<\/td>\n+R3.27<\/mark><\/td>\n+R5.27<\/mark><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
June<\/td>\n+R1.43<\/mark><\/td>\n-R2.62<\/mark><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
July<\/td>\n-R1.96<\/mark><\/td>\n-R3.59<\/mark><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
August<\/td>\n-R0.52<\/mark><\/td>\n+R1.23<\/mark><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
September<\/td>\n+R1.34<\/mark><\/td>\n+R3.15<\/mark><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
October<\/td>\n+R3.33<\/mark><\/td>\n+R3.24<\/mark><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total difference<\/strong><\/td>\n+R10.15<\/strong><\/td>\n+R14.84<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
November (CEF recoveries)<\/td>\n+R1.52<\/em><\/td>\n+R1.24<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
November (NT relief)<\/td>\n-R1.50<\/em><\/td>\n-R3.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
November (projected)<\/td>\n+R0.02<\/em><\/td>\n-R1.21<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Total projected difference<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n+R10.17<\/strong><\/em><\/td>\n+R13.63<\/em><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n