Calls for government intervention are growing after South Africans were hit with sharp fuel price increases in October.

According to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, petrol 93 rose by R3.12 a litre from 7 October, while petrol 95 increased by R3.33. Diesel climbed by between R2.84 and R3.24 a litre.

The department said higher international oil and petroleum product prices were major drivers of the increases. Brent crude averaged $101 a barrel during the review period.

Groups Demand Fuel Relief

The Citizen reports that Concerned Citizens of South Africa organised shutdowns and pickets in Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria, calling for a 50% reduction in fuel prices.

Cosatu has also called on government to use R10 billion earmarked for fuel-price relief to reduce pressure on motorists.

AfriForum, meanwhile, says taxes and levies make up a significant part of the pump price and has called for longer-term fuel levy reform.

Fuel Levies Remain Under Scrutiny

Official 2026 Budget measures increased the general fuel levy by 9 cents a litre for petrol and 8 cents for diesel from April.

The carbon fuel levy also rose by 5 cents for petrol and 6 cents for diesel, while the Road Accident Fund levy increased by 7 cents a litre.

SARS says the general fuel levy now stands at R4.10 a litre for petrol and R3.93 for diesel.

Transport Costs Squeeze Households

The Automobile Association has also called for changes to transport funding and fuel taxes.

Its latest pricing data shows unleaded 93 petrol at R29.88 a litre in October, up from R26.76 in September.

According to The Citizen, AA CEO Bobby Ramagwede said rising transport costs are hitting low-income workers particularly hard, especially those who depend on multiple taxi trips to reach work.

With fuel prices feeding directly into commuting and transport costs, civil society groups and unions are intensifying pressure on government to provide relief.