The RAF is asking the National Treasury to raise the levy to ZAR 3 per litre, citing lower fuel sales and liabilities exceeding assets by ZAR 439.5 billion.
South Africa’s Road Accident Fund (RAF) wants the National Treasury to raise the RAF levy on petrol and diesel from ZAR 2.25 per litre to ZAR 3 per litre, saying it needs a stronger funding base, according to its 2025/26 annual report.
The levy rose by 7 cents on 1 April 2026, but the RAF said it is still “under-capitalised, with liabilities exceeding assets by ZAR 439.5 billion,” and that lower fuel sales are hurting revenue. Net fuel levies make up 99.4% of its income; net RAF levy collections were R47.8 billion in 2025/26, down 4.6% from ZAR 50.1 billion in 2024/25.
The RAF also pointed to the freezing of the levy at ZAR 2.18 per litre from 2021/22 to 2025/26 and higher fuel prices linked to conflict in the Middle East. In October 2026, inland petrol hit R30.25 per litre, and the inland wholesale price of 50ppm diesel reached ZAR 33.20 per litre.
The National Treasury previously cut the General Fuel Levy (GFL) by ZAR 3 per litre from 1 April 2026, phased the relief down, and restored the full GFL levy in July. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has said further relief is unlikely because it would shift costs to taxpayers or raise government borrowing.
