MISA welcomes fuel levy relief but warns poorest are being overlooked

The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) has welcomed government’s decision to extend the R3 per litre fuel levy reduction on petrol, as well as the increased relief for diesel users, which effectively reduces the diesel levy to zero for May.

In a statement, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said the level of relief will be halved in June before it’s phased out in July.

This means from July onwards, the general fuel levy for petrol will return to R4.10 per litre, and diesel will return to R3.93 per litre.

MISA said the measures would ease pressure on workers, businesses, and the transport sector, offering some relief amid persistently high fuel prices.

However, the organisation raised concern that the intervention fails to support millions of South Africans who depend on illuminating paraffin. Prices for paraffin are expected to rise by more than R5 per litre in May, placing additional strain on low-income households that rely on it for cooking, heating, and lighting particularly as winter approaches.

“This relief is welcome, but it cannot ignore the poorest of the poor,” said Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer for Operations. “Families who rely on paraffin are being left behind. Government must urgently extend relief to paraffin users, or risk deepening inequality and hardship.”

MISA also acknowledged ongoing efforts to review the country’s fuel pricing mechanism but stressed that the process must be transparent and inclusive. The organisation said workers, communities, and civil society should be actively involved in shaping future fuel price regulations.