South African motorists are facing another substantial increase in fuel costs from Wednesday, 2 September 2026, with petrol climbing by R1.34 per litre and one grade of diesel increasing by more than R3 per litre.
The latest adjustments were confirmed by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources on Monday, 31 August 2026, following significant pressure from international oil and refined-product markets during the latest fuel-price review period.
From Wednesday, the following adjustments will take effect:
- Petrol 93 and 95 (ULP and LRP): increase of R1.34 per litre
- Diesel 0.05% sulphur (500ppm): increase of approximately R2.94 per litre
- Diesel 0.005% sulphur (50ppm): increase of approximately R3.15 per litre
- Illuminating Paraffin (Wholesale): increase of R2.13 per litre
According to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, the average Brent crude oil price increased from US$82.37 to US$87.88 per barrel during the period under review.
Explaining the increase, the Department pointed to continued tensions between the United States and Iran, uncertainty surrounding the movement of oil through the Strait of Hormuz and higher shipping costs.
International prices for refined petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin also increased during the review period, with the Department attributing this to supply shortages linked to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and lower global product inventories.
These factors increased the contribution to South Africa’s Basic Fuel Price by 127.79 cents per litre for petrol, 321.29 cents per litre for diesel and 239.06 cents per litre for illuminating paraffin.
There was, however, some relief from the rand.
The local currency strengthened on average from R16.46 to R16.21 against the US dollar during the latest review period. According to the Department, this reduced the contribution to the Basic Fuel Price by 21.07 cents per litre for petrol, 29.06 cents for diesel and 26.69 cents for illuminating paraffin.
Despite the stronger rand, another domestic component is adding pressure to September’s prices.
The cumulative slate account recorded a negative balance of R9.519 billion for petrol and diesel at the end of July 2026.
Consequently, the slate levy included in the petrol and diesel price structures will increase from 61.38 cents per litre to 83.28 cents per litre from 2 September, an increase of 21.90 cents per litre.
The slate mechanism is used to account for differences between the daily calculated Basic Fuel Price and the price actually charged to motorists during a fuel-price cycle.
A further adjustment will apply specifically to petrol.
The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources approved a 4.9 cents per litre increase in the petrol price structure, taking the relevant margin from 315.1 cents to 320.0 cents per litre.
According to the Department, the adjustment accommodates the wage increase for forecourt employees in terms of the Motor Industry Bargaining Council multi-year wage settlement agreement signed on 23 August 2025. It will also take effect from Wednesday.
For motorists, the increases are significant in practical terms.
A 50-litre petrol fill-up will cost R67 more purely as a result of September’s R1.34 per litre adjustment. On the same 50-litre basis, the wholesale increase in 500ppm diesel amounts to approximately R147, while the 50ppm diesel increase amounts to roughly R157.50.
The consequences also extend beyond private motorists. Diesel is a major input cost for freight, agriculture, logistics and other commercial operations, meaning an increase approaching R3 per litre for 500ppm diesel and exceeding R3 per litre for 50ppm diesel places additional pressure on businesses moving goods by road.
While the strengthening rand softened part of the increase, it was not enough to offset substantially higher international petroleum prices, the rising slate levy and other components feeding into September’s adjustment.
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