Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Minister Gwede Mantashe have confirmed short-term relief measures to address escalating fuel price increases due to the conflict in the Middle East.

In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, 31 March, the Ministers said consultations were held between the National Treasury and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources to explore measures to provide relief to consumers, while maintaining a stable and sustainable fuel supply system.

The agreed approach consists of an immediate intervention for the next month, and a broader package of measures to support households and key sectors of the economy.

The general fuel levy will be temporarily reduced by R3 per litre from Wednesday, 1 April 2026, to Tuesday, 5 May 2026.

This will reduce the general fuel levy for petrol from R4.10 per litre to R1.10 per litre and the general fuel levy for diesel from R3.93 per litre to R0.93 per litre for one month.

These amounts exclude other levies such as the Road Accident Fund levy and the Carbon Fuel Levy.

The Ministers say this partial reduction in the fuel levy will cost around R6 billion in foregone tax revenue for the one-month period. The relief measure will be re-evaluated on a monthly basis for the following two months.

Mechanisms to recoup this lost revenue, within the fiscal framework approved during the 2026 Budget, will be implemented.

Had the government not acted, consumers would be facing increases of R6 a litre on petrol and more than R10 per litre on diesel.

From 1 April 2026, this is what you’ll pay for fuel:

• Petrol 93: R 3.06 per litre increase
• Petrol 95: R 3.06 per litre increase
• Diesel (0.05% sulphur): R7.37 per litre increase.
• Diesel (0.005% sulphur): R7.51 per litre increase.
• Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale): R11.67 per litre increase.
• LPGas: R1.08 per kg (R1.23 per kg in the Western Cape)

Mantashe has also reassured the public that there is sufficient fuel supply in the country to meet current and projected demand.

Reports of shortages in certain areas are largely due to localised distribution and logistical challenges driven by panic buying rather than a lack of national fuel stocks, and these are expected to self-correct in the coming days.

Motorists and businesses are encouraged to purchase fuel responsibly and avoid unnecessary stockpiling.

The Fuels Industry Association of South Africa confirmed that May and June import deliveries are currently being finalised by the industry.

The industry body confirmed that above‑normal service‑station demand is contributing to current supply tightness, while limited road tanker availability is adding pressure.

This has resulted in delivery delays and intermittent stock‑outs in several regions.

Despite an increase in dry‑site reports driven by heightened diesel demand in anticipation of the price increase, suppliers are actively working to stabilise deliveries and maintain stock continuity.