The price of petrol is about to ease slightly, following the tabling of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement yesterday.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a 10 billion rand temporary fuel levy relief – which is set to last until January next year.
The petrol levy will be reduced by R1.50 per litre, and the diesel levy by R3 per litre from November 4 until December 1.
After December 2, the relief will be scaled back until January 5, after which the relief is scheduled to end. It will drop to R1 per litre for petrol and R1.50 per litre for diesel.
Godongwana says the temporary reduction will help cushion households and businesses against rising costs:
However, these reductions do not mean fuel prices will fall dramatically, as international oil prices and the performance of the Rand heavily influence what motorists actually pay.
This announcement comes after petrol prices skyrocketed in October 2026:
- Petrol 95 increased by R3.33 per litre
- Petrol 93 increased by R3.22 per litre
- Diesel 0.05% (500ppm) increased by R2.84 per litre
- Diesel 0.005% (50ppm) increased by R3.24 per litre
- Illuminating Paraffin Wholesale increased by R3.58 per litre
Minister Godongwana announced that R10 billion in support will be offered. This amount was initially transferred to the Central Energy Fund, but will now be returned to the National Revenue Fund, and then put into the Contingency Reserve.
“To provide temporary relief, the fuel levy will be reduced by R3 per litre for diesel and R1.50 per litre
for petrol from 4 November 2026 up until to 1 December 2026….This intervention will help ease cost of living pressures without compromising the sustainability of the budget.”