As a response to the decision made by the government to temporarily reduce the general fuel levy, the Economic Freedom Fighters have spoken out. They have described the move as a partial concession that is not even close to meeting the requirements that millions of South Africans who are struggling actually require.
In a statement dated Tuesday, 31 March 2026, the EFF acknowledged the government’s emergency intervention, which cuts the fuel levy by approximately R3 per litre ahead of the devastating price increases expected in April 2026. In spite of this reduction, the party was quick to point out that South Africans will still be subject to increases of more than R3 per litre for petrol and more than R7 per litre for diesel, which highlights the severity of the impending fuel crisis that is still present.
With the government itself confirming that the relief will only be in effect until May 5, 2026, the EFF emphasised that the relief will only be in effect for a short period of time. The party described the measure as nothing more than a postponement of a burden that will ultimately be reimposed on ordinary people, warning South Africans not to be lulled into a false sense of security by what it called a temporary plaster over a deep and persistent wound.
The EFF’s Statement on Government’s Temporary Fuel Levy Intervention
-This intervention is necessary as a partial concession to our long-standing demands for
relief from excessive fuel costs. However, we emphasise that this measure is temporary,
with government itself… pic.twitter.com/Mjy17gLvgs— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) March 31, 2026
As stated by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the source of the issue is a pattern of deliberate increases in fuel taxes and levies that have been implemented by the National Treasury. It was brought to the attention of the party that the general fuel levy was raised by sixteen cents per litre during the fiscal year 2024/25, and within the budget for the year 2026, it was raised once more by approximately twenty-one cents per litre when the carbon fuel and Road Accident Fund levies were taken into consideration.
The party reiterated its long-standing argument that the Minister of Finance’s unilateral power to determine fuel levies bypasses Parliament and undermines constitutional principles. According to the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a legal challenge to the fuel levy in its entirety is currently being brought before the courts. The EFF is arguing that there can be no taxation without representation and that every financial decision that affects millions of people must be subject to democratic oversight.
In addition, the party referred to a recent judgement handed down by the Western Cape High Court regarding the Value-Added Tax. This judgement determined that the power of the Minister of Finance to unilaterally set VAT rates is unconstitutional. Furthermore, the court reaffirmed that the authority to impose, increase, or abolish taxes is conferred upon Parliament. The EFF said this ruling strengthens its case that fuel levy increases must also be subjected to parliamentary approval.
At the same time that it was advocating for the permanent elimination of the fuel levy, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) urged the government to stop its excessive reliance on indirect taxes as a simple source of revenue and instead pursue progressive alternatives that do not punish the working class. The party believes that the outcome of the court challenge will bring South Africans genuine and long-lasting relief, and it has stated that it is looking forward to continuing the challenge in court.This is a placeholder.
