THE FUSE

As a response to the decision made by the government to temporarily reduce the general fuel levy, the Economic Freedom Fighters have spoken out. They have described the move as a partial concession that is not even close to meeting the requirements that millions of South Africans who are struggling actually require.

In a statement dated Tuesday, 31 March 2026, the EFF acknowledged the government’s emergency intervention, which cuts the fuel levy by approximately R3 per litre ahead of the devastating price increases expected in April 2026. In spite of this reduction, the party was quick to point out that South Africans will still be subject to increases of more than R3 per litre for petrol and more than R7 per litre for diesel, which highlights the severity of the impending fuel crisis that is still present.

With the government itself confirming that the relief will only be in effect until May 5, 2026, the EFF emphasised that the relief will only be in effect for a short period of time. The party described the measure as nothing more than a postponement of a burden that will ultimately be reimposed on ordinary people, warning South Africans not to be lulled into a false sense of security by what it called a temporary plaster over a deep and persistent wound.

As stated by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the source of the issue is a pattern of deliberate increases in fuel taxes and levies that have been implemented by the National Treasury. It was brought to the attention of the party that the general fuel levy was raised by sixteen cents per litre during the fiscal year 2024/25, and within the budget for the year 2026, it was raised once more by approximately twenty-one cents per litre when the carbon fuel and Road Accident Fund levies were taken into consideration.

The party reiterated its long-standing argument that the Minister of Finance’s unilateral power to determine fuel levies bypasses Parliament and undermines constitutional principles. According to the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a legal challenge to the fuel levy in its entirety is currently being brought before the courts. The EFF is arguing that there can be no taxation without representation and that every financial decision that affects millions of people must be subject to democratic oversight.

In addition, the party referred to a recent judgement handed down by the Western Cape High Court regarding the Value-Added Tax. This judgement determined that the power of the Minister of Finance to unilaterally set VAT rates is unconstitutional. Furthermore, the court reaffirmed that the authority to impose, increase, or abolish taxes is conferred upon Parliament. The EFF said this ruling strengthens its case that fuel levy increases must also be subjected to parliamentary approval.

At the same time that it was advocating for the permanent elimination of the fuel levy, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) urged the government to stop its excessive reliance on indirect taxes as a simple source of revenue and instead pursue progressive alternatives that do not punish the working class. The party believes that the outcome of the court challenge will bring South Africans genuine and long-lasting relief, and it has stated that it is looking forward to continuing the challenge in court.This is a placeholder.

Dr. Nandipha Magudumana’s mother, Nokuzola Sekeleni, passed away on Thursday, 26 March 2026, at her home in Port Shepstone on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast. The loss arrives at one of the most turbulent chapters of Magudumana’s life, as she currently awaits trial at Bizzah Makhate Correctional Services in the Free State — a deeply painful situation made even more devastating by the fact that she cannot be at her family’s side during their time of grief. The news has drawn significant public attention, reigniting complex conversations about justice, humanity, and the far-reaching consequences of crime on families.

Magudumana was informed of her mother’s passing by senior prison officials and social workers at the correctional centre. Her brother, Nkosinathi Sekeleni, described the moment as deeply shocking, saying she was taken aback and is trying to come to terms with the loss. The family has publicly appealed for strength and compassion during this period, with her lawyer, Machini Motloung, taking steps to ensure his client receives psychological support and remains adequately informed about funeral arrangements.

According to the Department of Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo, Magudumana may be eligible to apply for compassionate leave to attend the funeral. Such temporary release would be subject to an individualised assessment considering factors like risk classification, security concerns, behavioural record, and the nature of the bereavement. The question of whether she should be allowed to attend sparked fierce debate on social media, with some expressing sympathy for her grief while others pointed to the gravity of her alleged crimes.

The Sekeleni family released a statement urging the media and public to respect their privacy, describing Nokuzola as “the heart of our home” who deserved a send-off as peaceful as the love she gave. The family also moved to dismiss circulating rumours that they had approached government ministers to secure Nandipha’s attendance at the funeral, stating clearly that no such conversations had taken place and that they were simply a family in mourning trying to find their way through the darkness together.

Magudumana, a former celebrity aesthetics doctor whose medical licence was revoked, has been imprisoned since her arrest in Arusha, Tanzania in April 2023, alongside convicted murderer and rapist Thabo Bester. Their criminal trial, alongside several co-accused, is currently scheduled to take place at the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein from 20 July to 18 September 2026. As the trial date draws closer, the death of her mother adds yet another painful layer to a story that has gripped South Africa — a reminder that behind every high-profile case, there are human beings carrying losses that no courtroom can fully address.