{
  "id": 15709141,
  "title": "Ramaphosa: Further fuel-price relief could mean cuts to other programmes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/ramaphosa-further-fuel-price-relief-could-mean-cuts-to-other",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-20T06:22:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "IOL",
    "slug": "iol",
    "url": "https://iol.co.za/dailynews/news/2026-10-20-ramaphosa-further-fuel-price-relief-could-mean-cuts-to-other-programmes/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President Cyril Ramaphosa has warned that further government intervention to alleviate the impact of escalating fuel prices could necessitate cuts to other essential programs. Addressing journalists following the Bana Pele ECD Summit in Sandton, Ramaphosa emphasized that the fuel price issue is a worldwide concern and that the South African government is carefully evaluating its options as the nation contends with increasing living expenses. He recalled that previous fuel price hikes prompted the government to allocate approximately R24 billion to a subsidy scheme. The recent surge in fuel prices, effective from October 7, saw inland 95-octane petrol and diesel prices rise to R30.25 and R29.88 per liter, respectively. This increase ensued the termination of a temporary fuel-levy reduction introduced between April and June, which lowered the overall fuel levy by R3 per liter for petrol and up to R3.93 per liter for diesel. The government is contemplating additional measures, but the proposal to allocate R10 billion for fuel relief in the National Assembly budget does not ensure an immediate price reduction. The pressure for action is intensifying as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement approaches. Opposition parties, such as COSATU's general secretary Zingiswa Losi, have urged the government to release the proposed R10 billion for immediate fuel-price relief, asserting that rising fuel costs are exacerbating strain on workers and the economy. Concerns remain regarding the allocation's utilization, target beneficiaries, and timeline. Ramaphosa acknowledged the government's intervention comes at a cost, noting that the R24 billion earmarked for the fuel subsidy would be withdrawn from other government programs.",
  "summary": "President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is considering further relief for rising fuel prices, but warned that any intervention could divert money from other programmes.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "R10bn fuel-relief proposal gains pressure as Ramaphosa weighs further action",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/r10bn-fuel-relief-proposal-gains-pressure-as-ramaphosa-weighs-further",
        "published": "2026-10-20T05:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}