28.04.2026
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Godongwana to announce fuel levy decision as fiscal pressure mounts

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  • Finance minister, Enoch Gondogwana.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is expected to make an announcement on Tuesday (28 April) regarding the extension of the temporary fuel relief that was implemented in March. That’s after government reduced the fuel levy by R3 a litre, from the 1st of May. Godongwana told the National Assembly last week that he’s applying his mind regarding the issue of high fuel prices.

The US-Israel war on Iran has resulted in increased risks to global energy markets. This led to requests for government to extend the fuel relief for the duration of the war. Godongwana has indicated that he’s considering the matter.

” The extension of the fuel levy, I am applying my mind to that issue at the appropriate time, because I promised South Africans that at the end of the month I would do a review after consulting the stubborn Minister Mantashe. I will probably make the necessary announcement on the 28th, on Tuesday, in that regard,” says Godongwana.

Those who requested the extension point to the historic revenue collection achieved by South African Revenue Service (SARS) for the 2025/2026 financial year. While Godongwana said he’s considering the review of fuel levy reduction, he cautioned that the revenue collected by SARS is less than government’s expenditure.

“The South African Revenue Services (SARS) has collected R2 trillion, which is a major achievement. However, what we miss is that expenditure is R2.4 trillion, which means we are R400 billion short. In addition to that, debt servicing costs are also of a similar amount, which means this year we have to borrow about R800b,” he says.

Treasury said the R3 reduction that came into effect on the first of this month will cost around R6 billion in foregone tax revenue, for the month.

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