The South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has announced a fresh adjustment in fuel prices, set to take effect from Wednesday, citing rising global oil prices and persistent geopolitical tensions as key drivers of the increase.
The government explained that the adjustment reflects both international and domestic market realities, in line with South Africa’s monthly fuel pricing framework. The country relies heavily on imported crude oil and refined petroleum products, making local pump prices highly sensitive to global supply dynamics and associated importation costs.
Central to the latest increase is the sharp rise in global crude oil prices. The average Brent crude benchmark climbed from $93.67 to $101 per barrel during the review period, largely driven by escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, as well as disruptions linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The situation has constrained global supply and triggered a ripple effect across energy markets.
International petroleum product prices have also surged in tandem with crude oil, with diesel and illuminating paraffin recording steeper increases than petrol. Authorities attributed this to stronger demand and reduced output from the Persian Gulf region. As a result, the Basic Fuel Price components rose significantly, contributing R2.04 per litre for petrol, R4.96 per litre for diesel, and R4.21 per litre for paraffin.
The government noted that exchange rate movements played only a marginal role in the latest adjustment, as the rand remained largely stable against the US dollar, shifting slightly from 16.64 to 16.65 during the period under review. This translated to a negligible impact on overall fuel pricing.
In addition, the implementation of the self-adjusting slate levy mechanism has further influenced the new pricing structure. The cumulative slate balance for petrol and diesel stood at a negative R14.173 billion at the end of March 2026, prompting the introduction of a levy of 122.70 cents per litre to offset the shortfall.
Despite the upward pressure, authorities have introduced temporary relief measures to cushion consumers. In response to the ongoing global energy crisis linked to the US-Iran conflict, the Minister of Finance, in consultation with the energy ministry, approved a reduction in the general fuel levy by 300 cents per litre for petrol and 393 cents per litre for diesel. This relief will remain in place from May 6 until June 2, 2026.
The statement also confirmed revised pricing for liquefied petroleum gas imported through Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape, with the Maximum Refinery Gate Price set at R18,375.72 per metric ton and the Maximum Retail Price fixed at R40.85 per kilogram.
