THIS is where SA's General Fuel Levy money goes to
Every time you fill your car, 16c per litre for petrol and 15c per litre for diesel goes to the government. The General Fuel Levy did not increase in more than three years, until 2025. And earlier this month, the National Treasury gazetted the division of its General Fuel Levy funds … Motorists queue at a filling station ahead of a fuel price hike. Image: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images
As such, South Africa's General Fuel Levy is estimated to bring in R17 billion to government's tax coffers over the coming financial year. And the National Treasury is allocating funds across eight major metros like so, reports TopAuto : 1. City of Johannesburg – R4 572 million
2. eThekwini – R3 875 million
3. City of Cape Town – R2 851 million
4. Ekurhuleni – R1 795 million
5. City of Tshwane – R1 666 million
6. Nelson Mandela Bay – R862 million
7. Buffalo City – R798 million
8. Manguang – R427 million
Total – R16 849 million
However, while the National Treasury decides where GFL funds are allocated, it is at the metros' discretion how the monies are spent. The Automobile Association (AA) says government needs to rethink its income generation policies that are putting undue stress on motorists. Image: File
Petrol currently retails at an average of R21.00 per litre (July 2025). However, motorists pay R4 per litre of petrol and R3.85 per litre of diesel sold in South Africa towards the General Fuel Levy. Following 2025's adjustments, taxes and levies now make up 30% of what you pay at the pumps. Otherwise a litre of fuel would cost closer to R16.
Therefore, the Automobile Association (AA) is outspoken about government over-reliance on taxing motorists. 'Although the 2025 increase may appear modest in isolation, it forms part of a worrying broader trend. Motorists are bearing the brunt of fiscal policy changes. South Africa should have a broader conversation about funding infrastructure, road safety, and public transport. None of these should unduly burden its citizens,' concludes the AA.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
THIS is where SA's General Fuel Levy money goes to
South Africa's General Fuel Levy increased in 2025 after proposed VAT increases were overturned in the National Assembly. So, how much does the General Fuel Levy bring in exactly, and where does the money end up? Every time you fill your car, 16c per litre for petrol and 15c per litre for diesel goes to the government. The General Fuel Levy did not increase in more than three years, until 2025. And earlier this month, the National Treasury gazetted the division of its General Fuel Levy funds … Motorists queue at a filling station ahead of a fuel price hike. Image: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images As such, South Africa's General Fuel Levy is estimated to bring in R17 billion to government's tax coffers over the coming financial year. And the National Treasury is allocating funds across eight major metros like so, reports TopAuto : 1. City of Johannesburg – R4 572 million 2. eThekwini – R3 875 million 3. City of Cape Town – R2 851 million 4. Ekurhuleni – R1 795 million 5. City of Tshwane – R1 666 million 6. Nelson Mandela Bay – R862 million 7. Buffalo City – R798 million 8. Manguang – R427 million Total – R16 849 million However, while the National Treasury decides where GFL funds are allocated, it is at the metros' discretion how the monies are spent. The Automobile Association (AA) says government needs to rethink its income generation policies that are putting undue stress on motorists. Image: File Petrol currently retails at an average of R21.00 per litre (July 2025). However, motorists pay R4 per litre of petrol and R3.85 per litre of diesel sold in South Africa towards the General Fuel Levy. Following 2025's adjustments, taxes and levies now make up 30% of what you pay at the pumps. Otherwise a litre of fuel would cost closer to R16. Therefore, the Automobile Association (AA) is outspoken about government over-reliance on taxing motorists. 'Although the 2025 increase may appear modest in isolation, it forms part of a worrying broader trend. Motorists are bearing the brunt of fiscal policy changes. South Africa should have a broader conversation about funding infrastructure, road safety, and public transport. None of these should unduly burden its citizens,' concludes the AA. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- TimesLIVE
How National Treasury cut costs of national dialogue
The National Treasury has put the brakes on planned spending on the national dialogue by banning air travel for delegates in three provinces neighbouring Gauteng, capping costs for hotel stays and halting the purchase of smartphones for facilitators. These are among the measures to ensure a major cost reduction ahead of the first national convention to be held from Friday until Sunday. The national convention is a preparatory platform that will kick-start the national dialogue and its agenda. At least 800 delegates are expected to form part of the dialogue scheduled for August 15 at Unisa's main campus in Pretoria, with eminent people from different groups expected to lead discussions. Delegates from Mpumalanga, North West and Limpopo have been prohibited from using air travel, according to one insider. In addition, spending on the hosting of the secretariat of the dialogue within the National Economic and Labour Council (Nedlac) has been cut after a plan to buy cellphones for facilitators was shelved by the Treasury. 'Nedlac will now provide a monthly user allowance of R300 per facilitator for airtime and data,' said another insider. TimesLIVE's sister publication, Sowetan, reported that in addition to the cost-cutting measures, the government plans to revive the Solidarity Fund as a platform to manage private sector contributions for the national dialogue. The fund previously operated as a rapid response support vehicle for the government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. It will now be tasked with accepting contributions from civil society and philanthropies that will offer financial and in-kind support. Insiders said the government was planning to contribute up to 60% of the projected R450.4m cost of the dialogue, while the remainder would come from the private sector in various forms. The spending cut will see projected overhead costs for the opening convention slashed from an initial R24.5m to R8.6m, largely due to confirmed in-kind sponsorships, according to sources. 'All pre-existing budget allocations for public engagement, including imbizos, dialogues on social cohesion, moral regeneration programmes and constituency engagements, must be repurposed to support the national dialogue,' said one insider.
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter Begins Exit Talks as End of Term Approaches
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter's tenure has been defined by efforts to restore efficiency, transparency and public credibility. A strong emphasis was placed on modernising operations and improving compliance levels across sectors. South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has entered discussions regarding his departure from the organisation, with preparations now underway for a leadership transition once his current term concludes. Kieswetter was first appointed to head the revenue service in 2019. In 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa extended his tenure by an additional two years. This decision came before the completion of his original five-year term and was widely viewed as a vote of confidence in his leadership. At the time of his appointment, Kieswetter faced the challenge of rebuilding public trust and organisational capacity at SARS, following a turbulent period marked by serious institutional decline. His predecessor, Tom Moyane, presided over an era often associated with the weakening of the institution during the height of State Capture. During that time, SARS experienced significant operational setbacks, a loss of skilled professionals, and declining morale among Kieswetter's leadership, SARS has seen notable improvements in revenue collection and governance. His tenure has been defined by efforts to restore efficiency, transparency and public credibility. A strong emphasis was placed on modernising operations and improving compliance levels across sectors. One of the major achievements during Kieswetter's time in office was the recovery of billions in unpaid taxes, with the agency reporting collection figures that surpassed expectations in several financial years. He has consistently attributed these outcomes to the commitment of SARS employees, as well as the strategic use of data and these successes, the path forward remains complex. The process of identifying a successor who can maintain the momentum of reform will be closely watched by stakeholders both within government and in the broader financial sector. Ensuring that the transition is managed carefully is seen as critical for sustaining investor confidence and tax compliance. The National Treasury and the Presidency are expected to play key roles in shaping the next phase of leadership at SARS. While no official announcement has been made regarding potential candidates, the internal planning suggests that the leadership change is being treated with significant has not publicly commented in detail on his plans following his departure, but sources close to the matter suggest he is committed to a smooth handover and continued support for the institution during the transition period. With the end of his extended term approaching, the focus now shifts to how SARS will navigate this leadership change while maintaining its recent progress in restoring the integrity and capability of the national tax authority.
