By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The price of all grades of petrol will increase by R1.43 per litre on Wednesday, due in part to a surging slate levy, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) announced.
For diesel, R1.96 is being added back to the price. Thankfully, this is still a cut for diesel prices at the pumps at between R2.62 and R3.25 per litre.
The price of illuminating paraffin will come down by R5.96 per litre, while the price of LP Gas will decrease by 17 cents per kilogram.
The new fuel price adjustments will take effect later this week, on Wednesday, 3 June 2026.
Had it not been for the General Fuel Levy (GFL), petrol users would have experienced a marginal reduction of 7c per litre.
The main reason for this is the introduction of the GFL, which was suspended in April and May as part of a government relief measure to cushion the impact of the fuel price hikes.
The GFL was reduced by R3 per litre for petrol and R3.93 per litre for diesel. However, the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana has approved the decision to partially re-add the fuel tax this June.
Consequently, R1.50 will be added back to the cost of petrol, while diesel will receive a R1.93 increase. The remainder of the GFL will be reintroduced in July.
While the savings on diesel are large enough to mitigate the return of the GFL, petrol will, unfortunately, experience a price increase because of the fuel tax.
The DMPR said the adjustments reflect a combination of higher crude oil prices, changes in international product prices, a stronger rand, and the partial withdrawal of government’s temporary fuel levy relief.
According to the department, the average Brent crude oil price increased from $101 a barrel to $104.59 during the review period, driven by continued tension between the US and Iran and closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
However, international petroleum product prices moved lower overall. The department said the prices of middle distillates, such as diesel and paraffin, fell more than petrol prices because of lower seasonal demand as the northern hemisphere moves into summer.
The rand also strengthened modestly against the US dollar during the review period, averaging R16.52/$ compared with R16.65/$ previously, helping to lower the basic fuel price contribution.