Bad news for petrol prices this March, international airport to be rebuilt, and big changes for minibus taxis

These were the five biggest stories in South Africa’s transport industry this week.

Bad news for petrol prices this March

South Africa’s petrol and diesel prices are set to increase by up to 49c this March, according to data from the Central Energy Fund.

The fuel price increase estimates are predicated on the recent surge in global oil prices, caused by the USA’s preparations for military intervention in the Middle East.

Additionally, the recent Budget Speech revealed that the government plans to raise South Africa’s various fuel taxes by a combined 21c this financial year.

International airport in South Africa to be rebuilt

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has committed to rebuilding the Pilanesberg International Airport, following a devastating fire that destroyed its main terminal building in 2023.

The airport, which serves as a key tourism avenue into the North West Province, is situated less than 10km from Sun City Resort, making it an ideal entry point.

The fire effectively halted all commercial operations at the airport, which can accommodate major international flights on wide-body aircraft.

South Africa’s plan to save its car factories doesn’t help VW, Ford, BMW, or Toyota

None of South Africa’s major car producers are set to benefit from the government’s new 150% tax rebate on electric vehicle (EVs) and hydrogen car production, which takes effect in March 2026.

The rebates are intended to assist the industry with its transition to the production of new-energy vehicles for export to key markets like the European Union, UK, and North America.

However, the rebates apply only to EVs, meaning models like the locally produced BMW X3, Ford Ranger, and Toyota Corolla Cross hybrids do not benefit from the policy.

Big changes for South Africa’s minibus taxi industry

The South African National Taxi Council has promised to increase compliance while maximizing opportunities for South Africa’s taxi associations over the next five years.

This will include additional operations at taxi ranks and along major roads to check vehicle roadworthiness and promote better driver behaviour.

The Department of Transport has also approached the private sector to develop a smart ticketing tap-and-go payment system for all public transport, including taxis.

South Africa’s richest province goes quiet on new number plates

In June 2025, the Gauteng Provincial Government announced an all-new number plate system that was meant to be launched at the start of this year, which has since come and gone.

The plates were only briefly mentioned at Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s State of the Province Address this week, but no timeline has been provided regarding its rollout.

Gauteng’s new plates were initially expected to launch in 2023, but have been delayed several times. They are currently undergoing a pilot phase on government vehicles, but this was meant to wrap up at the end of last year.