Petrol vehicle drivers will continue to receive relief of R3 per litre, while drivers of diesel vehicles will benefit from a discount of R3.93 a litre. The organisation says the measure will ease pressure on workers, businesses, and the transport sector, which continue to struggle with high operating costs driven by fuel prices.

Misa has raised concerns that the relief excludes illuminating paraffin, a key energy source for millions of low-income households.

With paraffin prices expected to rise by R5 or more per litre in May, families who depend on it for cooking, heating, and lighting are likely to face severe financial strain as winter approaches.

“This relief is welcome, but it cannot ignore the poorest of the poor,” said Misa spokesperson Phakamile Majola. Families who rely on paraffin are being left behind. The government must urgently extend relief to paraffin users, or risk deepening inequality and hardship.

“Workers, communities, and civil society must have a voice in shaping how fuel prices are regulated in the future. Rising fuel costs cannot be used as an excuse to shed jobs.”

The association calls on the private sector to contribute to economic and social relief by committing to a moratorium on retrenchments. Protecting workers and households must be the cornerstone of South Africa’s response to global instability, she said.

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) also welcomed the May fuel levy reprieve, but warned that it underscores deeper fiscal challenges. Outa CEO Wayne Duvenage said while the decision offers short-term relief, it must be accompanied by urgent reforms to government spending.

“South Africa cannot rely on temporary interventions and must instead focus on eliminating wasteful expenditure, improving budget discipline, and strengthening financial governance.”

Economist Bongani Mahlangu warned the fuel levy relief comes at a difficult fiscal moment for the country. He said the government is already operating under a budget deficit and ongoing fiscal consolidation efforts, meaning additional spending pressures will require reprioritisation.

“Absorbing these costs means the government will have to reprioritise the existing budget, which could require cuts in certain areas, even if there are efficiencies in revenue collection.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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