Good News for Motorists as ANC SG Fikile Mbalula Made this Bold Promises

South African households, companies, and drivers should feel some relief from the government’s temporary fuel price reduction, according to African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula.

On Wednesday, November 4, 2026—the same day as the country’s Local Government Elections—the fuel levy reduction went into force.

South Africans are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living, and Mbalula, speaking before the elections, said that the intervention would help.

A reduction of R1.50 per litre for petrol and R3 per litre for diesel is proposed by the ANC secretary-general.

Mbalula elaborated on how the advantages could reach beyond just drivers, stating that a drop in fuel prices could alleviate financial strain on families by cutting transportation costs.

He hypothesised that reduced fuel costs could lead to cheaper groceries and more reasonably priced public transport.

While a drop in fuel prices might lead to savings on transportation and distribution, how much those savings translate into real price changes is up to retailers, transport operators, and other companies.

During the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement on October 21, 2026, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the temporary reduction of the fuel levy.

The general fuel levy will be reduced by R1.50 per litre for petrol and R3 per litre for diesel from November 4, 2026, until December 1, 2026, as part of the relief measure.

The news breaks just as South Africans go to the polls to choose their city councillors, who will be in charge of running their communities and providing their residents with services.

The ANC has framed the decrease as proof of the government’s endeavours to aid financially burdened households, even though the timing of the intervention has garnered political attention.

Mbalula says that South Africans can take a breather from rising living expenses thanks to the short-term fuel relief, but that the long-term economic benefits are still up in the air.

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