Official September Fuel Price Hike: Petrol and Diesel Prices Soar From Wednesday
- The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources confirmed steep fuel price increases effective Wednesday, 2 September 2026
- Rising international oil prices driven by the US-Iran conflict and Russia-Ukraine war pushed Brent crude above $87 per barrel
- Inland motorists will pay as much as R30.05 per litre for diesel, with LPGAS also climbing to R37.39 per kilogram
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SOUTH AFRICA - South African motorists are facing one of the sharpest fuel price increases in recent months, with the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announcing significant hikes effective Wednesday, 2 September 2026.
Petrol will climb by R1.34 per litre, but it is diesel drivers who will feel the biggest pinch. Diesel prices will increase by between R2.94 and R3.15 per litre, depending on the grade.
New fuel prices from 2 September 2026
Inland motorists will pay R26.76 for 93 octane petrol and R26.92 for 95 octane. Wholesale diesel prices will rise to R29.11 per litre for 0.05% diesel and R30.05 for 0.005% diesel. Illuminating paraffin will cost R20.89 per litre, while LPGAS will increase to R37.39 per kilogram.
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Coastal motorists will pay R25.97 for 93 octane petrol and R26.05 for 95 octane. Coastal wholesale diesel prices move to R28.24 and R28.79 per litre respectively, with illuminating paraffin at R19.83 per litre. LPGAS imported through Saldanha Bay will carry a maximum retail price of R36.60 per kilogram from the same date.
What is driving the September increase
The department pointed to surging international oil prices as the primary cause. Geopolitical instability played a significant role, with the ongoing US-Iran conflict pushing global oil prices above $90 a barrel. The continued Russia-Ukraine war has further disrupted supply chains and reduced global oil inventories. Additional pressure came from higher shipping costs and uncertainty around oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz.
The average Brent crude oil price climbed from $82.37 to $87.88 during the period under review. International petrol prices added 127.79 cents per litre to the Basic Fuel Price, while diesel added 321.29 cents and illuminating paraffin contributed 239.06 cents per litre.
The rand offered some cushion, strengthening from R16.46 to R16.21 against the US dollar. However, the currency gains were not enough to absorb the full weight of the oil price surge.
Motorists will also face a higher slate levy, which has risen by 21.90 cents per litre to 83.28 cents. This follows a negative cumulative slate balance of R9.519 billion for petrol and diesel at the end of July. An additional 4.9 cents per litre has been built into petrol prices to cover wage increases for forecourt workers under the Motor Industry Bargaining Council's multi-year agreement.
Parliament suggest scrapping monthly fuel price adjustments
Previously, Briefly News reported that South Africa could scrap monthly fuel price adjustments in favour of bi-weekly reviews following a parliamentary proposal.The suggestion came after petrol prices climbed by R6.53 per litre and diesel surged by R13.43 per litre between March and May. The proposal aims to soften the blow of sudden fuel price spikes on households, small businesses, and the cost of living.
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Source: Briefly News
