EFF challenges Godongwana's authority to change fuel levy

Added: 2026-05-20

[00:00:00]The case involving the EFF's challenge to the way in which governments change the fuel levy in the budget is now underway in the Western Cape High Court.

[00:00:08]The EFF is challenging the authority of the finance Mr. Enoch Godongwana to change the levy every year.

[00:00:15]In other words, particularly in this case, the way in which the levy announcement was made last year. This follows the court's dismissal of the EFF's urgent application to stop the fuel levy from being implemented.

[00:00:27]Newsroom Africa reporter Naledi Samah joins us live for more on Naledi. Good afternoon to you. In the past, I mean, this goes to the heart of our taxation system because in the past, the finance minister was able to simply announce after speaking to the national treasury how tax changes would be made. The EFF is asking for parliament to be involved as I understand it. What's happening in court?

[00:00:54]That's part of the core of the argument that is being made by the EFF at the Western Cape High Court, uh challenging uh Minister Enoch Godongwana, as you put it, that announcement that was made last year um at uh the budget speech where he had amended the fuel levy, um increasing it for the 2025-2026 um budget uh vote. The party is arguing that the minister overstepped his legal authority in implementing adjustments uh that directly impact motorists and commuters uh already struggling with the mounting uh cost of day-to-day living.

[00:01:36]However, Judge uh Mark uh Sher um repeatedly questioned the EFF or the party and challenged uh that uh rather ch- asking the EFF on their challenge um and whether or not it was um mu- moot, rather, uh taking into account that uh just a couple of weeks ago, there was an amended amended, uh, uh, announcement by, uh, government when it comes to the fuel levy. And, uh, the EFF saying that, uh, it still stands.

[00:02:10]And, uh, they are arguing that, uh, you know, calling on the courts to intervene in this particular matter. But, with that being said, uh, the EFF further argued that, uh, this matter not only remains relevant, but saying that at the core of their challenge is simply not about one levy increase, but about the constitutional powers granted to the minister under the customs and, uh, excise framework. So, that is the argument that the EFF is making. And, uh, just after recess, now around 2:00, uh, Ministers' Council will have an opportunity to make their arguments, um, after a marathon of arguments from the EFF side when, uh, they have, or rather, after they've approached the Western Cape High Court in this particular matter. Nasiphi Same, thank you very much, indeed. Do appreciate that update from the Western Cape High Court.