The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have filed an urgent application in the Western Cape High Court. They want to stop Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana from implementing the fuel levy increase announced in the 2025 Budget Speech.
The government plans to raise the fuel levy by 16 cents per litre for petrol and 15 cents for diesel, effective from June 2025.
EFF says fuel hike undermines Parliament
The party claims it repeatedly cautioned the Minister and appealed to his conscience.
It warned him of the impact such a move would have on poor and working-class South Africans amid a deepening cost-of-living crisis.
The party insists that the government should follow proper constitutional and legislative processes for the fuel levy hike. It compares this to how Parliament previously rejected the VAT increase.
The EFF warned that skipping Parliament weakens democracy and could lead to more bad decisions in future.
EFF warns of legal and economic consequences
The EFF warns that implementing the levy without a Money Bill could lead the courts to declare the national budget invalid even after the funds have been spent.
The party says such a ruling would jeopardise the country’s fiscal credibility, disrupt service delivery and damage public confidence in government institutions.
They stress that the issue is not only legal but economic, as the fuel levy directly affects transport, food, and other basic goods.
The EFF says the increase will hit the poorest households hardest. It insists it will not stand by while technocrats override democratic processes.
EFF urges Parliament to act
The EFF has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance. It warned them not to proceed with adopting the 2025 Fiscal Framework if it includes the fuel levy hike.
They urge Parliament to act responsibly and call on the Minister to withdraw what they describe as a reckless decision.
Should the government make major decisions without Parliament’s approval?
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