South Africans are bracing for another sharp increase in fuel prices, with petrol and diesel set to rise more steeply than initially projected from Wednesday, 6 May.
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) confirmed that both grades of petrol will increase by R3.27 per litre, while diesel will jump by R6.19 per litre.
The hike is higher than earlier estimates from the Central Energy Fund, largely due to the inclusion of the Slate Levy, which compensates fuel companies for prior pricing imbalances.
Following the adjustments, inland petrol prices are expected to exceed R26 per litre, while diesel prices will climb above R32 per litre in some areas, marking a new record high for diesel.
Officials say the increases are primarily driven by rising international oil prices, with the rand having only a marginal impact on the latest adjustments.
Global oil market volatility, linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, continues to put pressure on local fuel costs, with Brent crude trading significantly higher in recent weeks.
Further price shocks may lie ahead, with fuel tax relief measures set to be reduced in June and phased out entirely by July. This could expose consumers to the full impact of global oil price movements in the coming months.
Motorists are expected to feel the strain as fuel costs continue to climb, adding pressure to already rising living expenses.
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