The government plans to implement additional measures to offset the petrol and diesel prices hitting the pumps this April.
Today, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced that the state will temporarily slash the General Fuel Levy (GFL) by R3 per litre to reduce fuel prices and soften the blow to households and the economy as a whole.
The official fuel price adjustments, set by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), are set to take effect tomorrow on 1 April 2026.
Petrol will increase by R3.06 per litre for both octanes, while diesel is going up by between R7.37 and R7.51 per litre.
While these are still enormous hikes, the R3-per-litre fuel tax cuts means motorists have been spared from paying over R6 more for petrol and R10 more for diesel.
This R3-per-litre GFL reduction will remain in place from 1 April to 5 May 2026.
The good news is that this is only the beginning, as the National Treasury has confirmed that the GFL cut is only the first phase in a multi-step relief plan to aid consumers.
The GLF reduction means that the fuel tax has been temporarily reduced from R4.10 per litre to just R1.10 per litre.
South Africa’s other fuel levies, such as the Road Accident Fund RAF) Levy and Carbon Levy, are unaffected.
The finance department noted that this emergency reduction will cost the state approximately R6 billion in tax revenue this April.
However, the relief measure is designed to be fiscally neutral, meaning the government plans to recoup this loss in other ways.
Godongwana said that the relief measure aims to balance the financial impact on the country and the welfare impact on South African consumers, particularly with regard to food and transport inflation.
Phase two of the relief effort will focus on a broader review of the country’s fuel price calculation over the medium term.
“Work is underway on a broader package of measures to support households and key sectors of the economy. Further details on additional support measures will be announced in due course,” said the ministry.
The National Treasury and the DMPR have been in consultations to explore additional measures to provide short-term relief to motorists.
The department added that intervention was urgently required with broader support for households and key economic sectors.
South Africa not at risk of fuel shortages – National Treasury
The Treasury also addressed the growing concerns over fuel shortages in South Africa.
Over the past few weeks, reports have appeared in publications and social media posts about fuel shortages, particularly for diesel, at select forecourts across the country.
However, the treasury assured motorists that South Africa has sufficient fuel supplies and that there is currently no risk of shortages.
It noted that the reports of stations running out mostly stem from more remote areas with localized distrubution and logistical challenges, meaning they don’t receive new fuel shipments as often.
Additionally, the treasury claimed that panic buying has caused certain forecourts to run low on fuel due to artificially high demand, and that this is not reflective of national fuel stocks.
It said it expects these issues to self-correct over the next few days.
“Motorists and businesses are encouraged to purchase fuel responsibly and avoid unnecessary stockpiling,” said the treasury.
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