Public Information · Fuel prices · Cost of living
November fuel prices: R1.50 petrol levy cut announced for 4 November
Announced cuts of R1.50 to the petrol levy and R3 to diesel are not final November pump-price reductions.
Update, 3 November 2026: The final November adjustment has been announced. Petrol falls by 1c a litre, while the diesel changes are wholesale figures. Read the final prices and cooking-fuel changes.
Announced fuel levy relief is scheduled from 4 November 2026: R1.50 less per litre for petrol and R3 for diesel.
The relief changes one component of the fuel bill. It does not determine the final November pump-price adjustment, which also depends on other costs and charges.
At 13:44 SAST on 29 October, the department’s fuel-price index listed 7 October 2026 as its latest effective date. Check its monthly notice for the final November price schedule.
What relief has government announced?
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced two-stage levy relief on 21 October. These are reductions per litre.
| Announced relief period | Petrol levy reduction | Diesel levy reduction |
|---|---|---|
| 4 November–1 December 2026 | R1.50 per litre | R3 per litre |
| Thereafter, until 5 January 2027 | R1 per litre | R1.50 per litre |
What do the 28 October CEF figures show?
The Central Energy Fund’s 28 October daily report records the following average under-recoveries for 2–28 October. These indicate upward pressure in the basic fuel price calculation; they are not announced increases at the pump.
The report separates international product-price movements from the exchange-rate contribution. Both were adding to the average under-recovery for petrol and diesel at that point. Later changes in refined-fuel prices or the rand can alter the readings.
The diesel entries are basic fuel price indicators, not the prices charged by filling stations.
| Fuel | Average under-recovery |
|---|---|
| Petrol 95 | 107.22 cents per litre |
| Petrol 93 | 122.71 cents per litre |
| Diesel 0.05% sulphur | 144.23 cents per litre |
| Diesel 0.005% sulphur | 134.93 cents per litre |
Why can a levy cut differ from the pump-price change?
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources’ pricing explainer sets out several components: international fuel-product costs, the rand-dollar exchange rate, taxes, margins, transport and other charges. Reducing the levy does not freeze those other costs.
The department’s pricing rules use the review period’s average over- or under-recovery for monthly adjustments, alongside other changes, including the slate mechanism. A daily CEF reading cannot confirm the final adjustment on its own.
Petrol retail prices are regulated. Diesel retail prices are not: the department publishes a wholesale list price. An announced diesel wholesale figure is therefore a reference price, rather than a uniform charge at every filling station.
What does the announced relief mean for 50 litres?
For 50 litres, the first-stage levy reductions amount to R75 on petrol or R150 on diesel. Other price components also affect the total filling-station bill.
How will the relief be funded?
In his budget statement, Godongwana estimated R10 billion in foregone revenue, financed with returned Central Energy Fund money.
What should motorists check in the monthly notice?
The department says petrol prices adjust on the first Wednesday of each month, making the next ordinary date Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
Check the official notice’s effective date, fuel grade, pricing zone and whether the amount is retail or wholesale. These details determine which figure applies to a purchase. Inland and coastal prices can differ because transport adds to the cost.