South African motorists could see slightly lower November petrol prices after the government announced temporary fuel levy cuts. However, rising international oil prices and pressure on the rand mean the savings may be smaller than expected.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the reductions during the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement on 21 October 2026. The government will reduce the fuel levy by R1.50 per litre for petrol and R3 per litre for diesel from 4 November until 1 December.
The relief will continue at lower levels until 5 January 2027, with reductions of R1 per litre for petrol and R1.50 per litre for diesel.
The announcement comes as motorists face some of the highest fuel prices in the country’s history.
What motorists could pay in November
The latest Central Energy Fund (CEF) figures suggest that fuel prices would increase in November without the government’s intervention.
Data from 22 October points to underlying petrol price increases of between R1.27 and R1.38 per litre. Diesel prices could rise by between R1.24 and R1.29 per litre before the levy reductions are applied.
However, once the temporary relief is included, petrol prices could decrease by between 12 and 23 cents per litre. Diesel could become cheaper by approximately R1.71 to R1.76 per litre.
This means inland motorists using 95-octane petrol could pay around R30.02 per litre, compared with the current R30.25 per litre.
Motorists using 93-octane petrol could pay approximately R29.76 per litre, down from R29.88 per litre.
These are estimates based on the available CEF data. The final prices could change before the official announcement. To see what that means for a drive you take often, try the fuel cost-per-trip calculator.
Why fuel prices remain under pressure
South Africa’s fuel prices are influenced by international petroleum prices and the rand’s exchange rate against the US dollar.
When international oil prices increase, or the rand weakens, importing fuel becomes more expensive.
The CEF monitors these changes throughout the month to help determine the adjustments applied to local fuel prices.
Although the government’s levy reduction will provide temporary relief, it will not remove the underlying pressure from international markets.
The intervention is expected to cost the government approximately R10 billion in revenue that would otherwise have been collected.
What happens in December?
Motorists should also prepare for a smaller fuel levy reduction in December.
The petrol levy relief will decrease from R1.50 to R1 per litre, while diesel relief will fall from R3 to R1.50 per litre.
This does not mean fuel prices will automatically increase by those amounts. The final December adjustment will also depend on oil prices, the rand and other pricing factors.
For now, motorists will have to wait for the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources to confirm the official November adjustments.
The new prices are scheduled to take effect on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.