EFF STATEMENT ON THE JULY 2026 FUEL PRICE ADJUSTMENTS

Wednesday, 01 July 2026.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes the reduction in fuel prices that come into effect on 1 July 2026, which will see petrol and diesel prices decrease. The official adjustment sees 93 octane petrol decrease by R2.01 per litre, 95 octane petrol decrease by R1.96 per litre, 0.05% sulphur diesel decrease by R3.54 per litre, 0.005% sulphur diesel decrease by R3.32 per litre, and illuminating paraffin decrease by R2.53 per litre.

While any reduction in the cost of fuel is welcomed by millions of struggling South Africans, the EFF cautions against celebrating what amounts to temporary relief in an economy where fuel prices remain structurally high due to government’s continued reliance on an irrational fuel pricing model and its obsession with using fuel taxes as a source of revenue.

The reduction announced this month merely reverses a portion of the painful increases South Africans have endured over the past several months. Millions of workers, commuters, taxi operators, logistics companies and small businesses have already absorbed the devastating impact of record fuel prices, which have driven up the cost of transporting goods, increased food prices, and intensified the cost-of-living crisis confronting the working class. The EFF notes with concern that this month’s fuel price adjustment comes simultaneously with the complete withdrawal of the state’s temporary fuel price relief measures. Following months of cushioning motorists from the global energy crisis, government has now fully reinstated the General Fuel Levy at 429 cents per litre on petrol and 416 cents per litre on diesel, effective from 1 July 2026.

This follows a phased withdrawal of the relief, where the levy reduction introduced in April was first halved in June before being completely removed in July. Government has therefore chosen to resume extracting billions of rand from motorists at precisely the moment when households continue to battle an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis.

The EFF reiterates its long-standing call for a comprehensive review of South Africa’s fuel pricing model, which is why we are currently in the courts to challenge the Finance Minister’s authority to adjust the fuel levy at whim and at the expense of our people. South Africa cannot continue exposing its economy to volatile international markets while failing to build domestic refining capacity, invest in strategic fuel reserves, and utilise the state’s purchasing power to shield consumers from global price shocks.

The EFF further calls upon public transport operators, freight companies, retailers, and food producers to pass on the benefits of lower fuel prices to consumers without delay. There can be no justification for rapidly increasing prices whenever fuel rises, only to delay or refuse corresponding reductions when fuel prices fall.