The Concerned Citizens of South Africa (CCSA) has given government 14 days to respond to its demand for a 50% cut in fuel prices. If government doesn’t respond, the group says it will call a three-day national shutdown.
The organisation set out its ultimatum ahead of its planned national shutdown on Monday, 19 October, which it said would take place in major cities across the country, including Pretoria and Cape Town. The protest is calling for lower fuel taxes and levies, as well as a review of the fuel-pricing formula.
It comes after petrol in Gauteng passed R30 a litre for the first time this month, with early data pointing to another increase in November.
What The CCSA Is Demanding
The group, which describes itself as a people’s movement with no link to any political party, wants:
- fuel prices cut by at least 50%, which would bring petrol down to about R15 a litre
- lower fuel taxes and levies, including the General Fuel Levy and the Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy
- a review of the formula used to set fuel prices each month.
CCSA spokesperson Siphiwe Mpungose said that if the demands are not met, the group will widen its campaign to include unions, truck associations and the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO).
“Government must listen to us this time. If they don’t listen, we are mobilising all forces, including the unions, the truck associations and SANTACO to make sure that we implement a three-day no vehicle movement, no filling of fuel for three days so that the government will feel the heat and also feel what we are also feeling now, because paying this high price of R30 and more is unfair to South Africans,” said Mpungose.
The group wrote to SANTACO and the National Taxi Alliance on 12 October inviting them to take part in its action. Neither has publicly confirmed that it will join a three-day shutdown.
“R15 Is What We Are Prepared To Pay”
Mpungose said cutting the petrol price to R15 a litre would give consumers significant relief.
“All those levies, for now, the government needs to put them aside. We pay R15 a litre. That will be good for the economy, and that will be good for the citizens who are bearing the costs of these levies on food, transport, you name it, because petrol prices affect everything across the spectrum. So, we can’t keep quiet anymore as citizens. We are saying R15 is what we are prepared to pay,” he said.
CCSA national organiser Ntokozo Mkhize earlier told EWN that “it is clear now that we are only working for petrol”, and questioned how fuel levy revenue is spent.
ALSO READ: Fuel Price October 2026: Gauteng 95 Hits R30.25 As Fuel Prices Surge
How Much Motorists Are Paying Now
Fuel prices rose sharply on 7 October 2026. The increases were driven by higher international oil product prices linked to tensions in the Middle East and by a higher slate levy.
| Product | October increase | Inland (Gauteng) price |
|---|---|---|
| 95 petrol | R3,33 | R30,25 per litre |
| 93 petrol | R3,12 | R29,88 per litre |
| 50ppm diesel (wholesale) | R3,24 | R32,80 per litre |
There may be more pain ahead. Central Energy Fund data from 14 October points to further increases in November, which would take inland 95 petrol to about R32,52 a litre. The final adjustment will be announced ahead of 4 November and could still change.
How Far Would Cutting Levies Go?
Two levies make up a large part of the pump price: the General Fuel Levy of R4,10 a litre and the RAF levy of R2,25 a litre. Together they add R6,35 to every litre.
Even if government scrapped both levies completely, inland 95 petrol would fall to about R23,90 a litre at October prices. That is still well above the R15 the CCSA is calling for. Reaching R15 would need further cuts elsewhere in the price, such as to taxes, margins or the basic fuel price, which is set by international oil prices and the rand.
What Government Has Done So Far
Government has already intervened once this year. From 1 April 2026, National Treasury cut the General Fuel Levy by R3 a litre, from R4,10 to R1,10, as fuel prices spiked. The relief cost the fiscus about R6 billion a month. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana said at the time that it wasn’t sustainable, and the levy has since returned to its full level.
Further relief may be on the way. On 8 October, Parliament’s Standing Committee on Appropriations adopted its report on the Second Special Appropriation Bill. The bill would move R10 billion from the National Revenue Fund to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources “to stabilise fuel costs and protect consumers from fuel price volatility”. The bill still has to be debated and passed by the National Assembly, and it isn’t yet clear how much it would cut the price per litre.
Committee chairperson Mmusi Maimane said the money is available and should be used for immediate relief. “We must ensure that fuel prices are reduced so that citizens can enter December with some relief,” he said.
Officials have previously warned that large cuts to the fuel levy would leave a significant hole in public finances. Government had not publicly responded to the CCSA’s 14-day ultimatum at the time of publishing.
What This Means For Gauteng Residents
Gauteng pays inland fuel prices, which are higher than coastal prices because of the cost of moving fuel inland. That means residents here feel every increase more sharply. Higher fuel costs also feed into taxi fares, delivery charges and food prices.
If the CCSA goes ahead with a three-day “no vehicle movement” shutdown and transport groups join in, commuters could see disruptions to taxis, trucks and fuel deliveries. Here’s what you can do:
- Follow official updates from SAPS, your metro and your employer or school rather than relying on viral social media posts.
- Plan alternative transport if you rely on minibus taxis, and check whether services such as the Gautrain, Metrobus, A Re Yeng or Rea Vaya are running as normal.
- Avoid panic-buying fuel. It puts pressure on supply and can cause shortages at filling stations.
- Watch for the November fuel price announcement, which is expected shortly before 4 November.
The right to peaceful protest is protected by the Constitution, but blocking roads or stopping people from going to work or school is against the law. Police have warned in previous shutdowns that anyone who breaks the law will be dealt with.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The CCSA Demanding?
The Concerned Citizens of South Africa wants fuel prices cut by at least 50%, to about R15 a litre for petrol. It also wants lower fuel taxes and levies, including the General Fuel Levy and RAF levy, and a review of the fuel-pricing formula.
When Does The 14-Day Deadline End?
The CCSA gave government 14 days to respond. If you count from the 19 October shutdown, the deadline falls around 2 November. The group hasn’t announced dates for a three-day shutdown.
Will Taxis Join The Shutdown?
The CCSA says it will mobilise SANTACO, truck associations and unions if its demands are not met. SANTACO has not publicly confirmed that it will take part.
How Much Is Petrol In Gauteng Now?
From 7 October 2026, inland 95 petrol costs R30,25 a litre and 93 petrol costs R29,88 a litre.
Will Fuel Prices Go Up Again In November?
Early Central Energy Fund data points to further increases, with inland 95 petrol projected at about R32,52 a litre. The final adjustment will be confirmed before 4 November.
Is Government Planning Fuel Price Relief?
Parliament’s Standing Committee on Appropriations has adopted a report on a bill that would set aside R10 billion to stabilise fuel costs. It still needs to pass the National Assembly, and the size of any per-litre relief hasn’t been announced.
