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South Africans are set to pay significantly more at the pumps this week as new fuel price increases take effect, with diesel users facing the hardest blow despite government efforts to soften the impact.
The latest data shows petrol prices rising by around R1.70 to R2.05 per litre, while diesel is expected to jump by more than R5 per litre, pushing wholesale prices beyond R30 per litre in some areas.
From Wednesday, motorists are expected to pay roughly:
- Petrol (95): about R24.40 at the coast and R25.20 inland
- Diesel (wholesale): around R29–R30+, before retail margins are added
What is confirmed
Government has extended fuel levy relief into May, keeping a R3.00 per litre reduction for petrol and increasing diesel relief to R3.93 per litre, effectively cutting the diesel levy to zero for now.
This intervention is aimed at cushioning consumers from global oil price shocks.
What is driving the increase
The price surge is largely linked to:
- Ongoing global oil supply disruptions linked to conflict in the Middle East
- Continued volatility in international oil markets
- South Africa’s dependence on imported fuel
Even with tax relief, the scale of global price pressure has outweighed local interventions.
What is not yet clear
- Final retail diesel prices vary by location and margins
- Future price direction remains uncertain, especially beyond June when relief measures will be reduced and phased out
- Possible additional adjustments like the slate levy could still affect prices further
Local impact
The increases are expected to hit households and rural communities hardest, especially in provinces like the Eastern Cape where:
- Transport costs directly affect food prices
- Farmers rely heavily on diesel for production
- Public transport fares may rise
Businesses dependent on logistics and fuel are also likely to pass on costs to consumers in the coming weeks.
What happens next
Government has indicated that fuel relief will be reduced in June and fully phased out by July, raising concerns that prices could climb even higher if global conditions do not improve.
For now, South Africans are entering another month of fuel pressure — with diesel users facing what analysts describe as one of the steepest increases in recent years.
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