South Africa Extends Fuel Levy Cuts to June 2026

South Africa's National Treasury and Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announced on Tuesday an extension of temporary fuel levy reductions to shield consumers from sharp price increases driven by elevated global oil prices amid Middle East tensions. The measures, first introduced in April with a R3 per litre cut for both petrol and diesel, will continue through June before phasing out in July.

Effective from Wednesday, May 6, to June 2, 2026, the general fuel levy reduction for petrol remains at R3 per litre, keeping it at R1.10 per litre. For diesel, relief expands by 93 cents to R3.93 per litre, reducing the levy to zero during this period. From June 3 to 30, the cuts halve to R1.50 per litre for petrol and R1.96 per litre for diesel. Full levies resume July 1 at R4.10 per litre for petrol and R3.93 per litre for diesel.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana described the extension as a response to significant economic pressures. "To give people more help and to limit the impact on inflation and economic growth, government has extended the R3 per litre reduction until June 2nd, 2026," a joint statement from the departments quoted him as proposing. The government...