South Africans can expect significant fuel price reductions starting Wednesday, April 2, as confirmed by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.
The latest adjustments include a 58-cent decrease for 93 Unleaded petrol and a 72-cent drop for 95 Unleaded petrol.
Diesel prices will also be reduced by 84 cents per litre for 500ppm and 86 cents per litre for 50ppm. As a result, 93 Unleaded petrol will now retail at R21.51 per litre in Gauteng, while 95 Unleaded will cost R21.62.
Coastal prices will be slightly lower, with 95 Unleaded at R20.83. Meanwhile, the wholesale price of 50ppm diesel will be set at R18.60 per litre at the coast and R19.36 inland.
These reductions are primarily driven by lower international fuel prices and a stronger rand. In addition, motorists will benefit from the government’s decision to maintain the General Fuel Levy and Road Accident Fund Levy at their current rates for the third consecutive year. However, Treasury has announced a three-cent increase in carbon tax for both petrol and diesel.
Lower-than-expected petrol price reductions
Despite the relief, the final petrol price cuts are slightly smaller than initially projected. The Central Energy Fund’s unaudited data had suggested reductions of between 64 and 78 cents for petrol and 90 to 92 cents for diesel.
International oil prices fluctuated throughout March, influenced by various factors. Brent Crude oil fell below $70 per barrel early in the month—its lowest level in six months—after reports that OPEC+ planned to increase production.
At one point, petrol price cuts of nearly R1 per litre seemed likely. However, towards the end of the month, oil prices rebounded to around $73 per barrel following threats by US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on Venezuelan oil importers, which limited the over-recovery.
April’s fuel price reductions follow a seven-cent decrease in March, which broke a four-month streak of consecutive price hikes.
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