Fuel price hikes in South Africa – Fill up before midnight – IOL

The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has implemented significant fuel price increases across South Africa, effective May 13, 2026. The adjustments impact petrol, diesel, illuminating paraffin, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPGas), driven by a combination of international supply crises and the need to recover a substantial financial deficit.

Fuel Price Adjustments

Motorists using 93 and 95 octane petrol, including both Unleaded Petrol (ULP) and Low Sulphur Petrol (LRP), face an increase of R3.27 per litre. Diesel users are seeing a more pronounced impact, with prices rising by R5.27 per litre for both 0.05% and 0.005% sulphur grades.

The price hikes extend to other fuel products, including illuminating paraffin and LPGas. For illuminating paraffin, the wholesale price has increased by R4.22 per litre, while the retail price has risen by R5.63 per litre.

LPGas pricing varies by region, with the maximum retail price increasing as follows:

• Gauteng: R5.07 per kilogram
• Western Cape: R5.78 per kilogram

Global Market Drivers and Geopolitical Tensions

According to the government, these price adjustments are primarily the result of international turmoil affecting the global oil market. The average price of Brent Crude oil surged from $93.67 to $101 per barrel.

Several geopolitical factors contributed to this volatility, including ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and damage to critical supply infrastructure. These events have particularly affected middle distillates, such as diesel and paraffin, which are currently experiencing reduced supply from the Persian Gulf alongside high global demand.

While the South African Rand remained relatively stable against the US Dollar during this period, the international supply crisis heavily impacted basic fuel prices.

Financial Recovery and the Slate Levy

In addition to global market pressures, the current price adjustments include a slate levy of 122.70 cents per litre. This levy is being implemented to recover a negative balance of R14.173 billion that was recorded at the end of March.

The government is extending short-term relief measures in an effort to cushion the financial impact of these increases for consumers.