Santaco welcomes temporary fuel levy relief

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Opens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowOpens in new windowEnter fullscreen mode displaying this image.ExpandFinance minister Enoch Godongwana announced the government will again provide temporary fuel price relief, saying the fuel levy will be reduced by R3/l for diesel and R1.50/l for petrol from November 4 until December. Picture: Business Day/Freddy Mavunda Story audio is generated using AI

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) has welcomed the announcement of temporary fuel levy relief by finance minister Enoch Godongwana.

On Wednesday, while tabling the 2026 medium-term budget policy statement in a joint sitting of parliament, Godongwana announced the government will again provide temporary fuel price relief, saying the fuel levy will be reduced by R3/l for diesel and R1.50/l for petrol from November 4 until December. It will reduce in value thereafter until January.

He said the fuel relief would add up to R10bn.

The relief will continue at a lower amount until January 5 2027. The diesel levy will be reduced by R1.50/l, and the petrol levy by R1/l.

Santaco acknowledged the intervention as a welcome step towards easing the financial pressure currently experienced by the transport sector and commuters.

The council’s national spokesperson, Mmatshikhidi Rebecca Phala, said while Santaco appreciates the temporary relief announced, it believes short-term interventions alone cannot provide a lasting solution to the structural cost pressures confronting the taxi industry.

Phala said the temporary nature of the relief underscores the need for continued engagement on measures that can sustainably cushion operators and commuters against volatile fuel prices.

She said the council will continue engaging the relevant government departments and stakeholders to explore further relief measures that address the long-term sustainability of the industry.

“The council believes a viable taxi industry is essential to South Africa’s public transport system, economic activity and the daily livelihoods of millions of people who depend on minibus taxis to access work, education, healthcare and other essential services,” she said.

Santaco has assured commuters there will be no immediate fuel-related fare increases while the industry continues to engage the government in pursuit of more sustainable, long-term relief measures.

The council’s president, Motlhabane Abnar Tsebe, has called on all industry structures to communicate responsibly with operators and commuters as engagements continue.

He said: “Santaco remains committed to constructive dialogue with the government in pursuit of practical, sustainable solutions that protect the interests of taxi operators and the travelling public.”

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