South Africans Frustrated As Petrol Price Could Break R30 a Litre for the First Time Ever
- South African motorists could pay more at the pumps for all fuel grades in October 2026
- A higher global oil price and the rand-to-dollar exchange have all contributed to the fuel price
- South Africans weighed in on the potential increase, sharing frustration with the news
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Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
South Africa could be on the verge of a historic fuel price milestone, and citizens are not happy at all.
Data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) indicates that the inland price of Unleaded 95 petrol may climb to R30.04 per litre in October 2026, surpassing R30 for the first time in the country's history.
The CEF figures, covering the review period up to 28 September 2026, show under-recoveries across all grades and types of liquid fuel. An under-recovery occurs when the pump price is lower than the actual cost of importing and supplying the fuel, meaning a price increase is required to close the gap.
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Record petrol price on the horizon
The primary driver of the under-recovery is a sharply higher global oil price, which has pushed the cost of South Africa's fuel basket significantly higher, contributing to under-recoveries ranging from R2.78 to R3.43 per litre.
A marginal rand strengthening against the dollar offered only a slight offset, reducing overall under-recoveries by a few cents. Should no adjustment be made to the slate levy, the inland Unleaded 95 price would rise to R30.04 per litre.
On the coast, the figure would be somewhat lower at R29.17 per litre. The current inland record stands at R28.06 per litre, set in June 2026, which itself surpassed the previous peak of R26.74 per litre reached in July 2022 during global energy supply disruptions linked to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Wholesale diesel is equally strained. The 50ppm diesel grade recorded an under-recovery of R3.13 per litre as of 28 September. If that shortfall were applied in full, the inland wholesale cost of 50ppm diesel would rise to approximately R33.09 per litre, exceeding the current record of R33.05, which was set in September 2026, itself an improvement on the R31.88 reached in May 2026.
South Africans not impressed
The prospect of R30-plus fuel prices drew sharp responses from South Africans online.
Gary Cullen wrote:
"We know the government is screwing us. The amount of tax and levies on fuel in this country is an unnecessary burden on consumers."
Gideon van Loggerenberg added:
"It is not the oil price killing the consumer; it is the ANC government's incompetence and greed."
Nhlengo Smart Makhubele warned:
"And it might even get worse than this."
@accthaboza explained:
"Everyone will blame the Gulf conflict. Yes, oil is spiking. But a weak rand and duties on every litre did the rest. Two crises, one pump price."
@GriffinForGold urged:
"50% is tax. Drop the tax."
Heinrich Beukes claimed:
"Proudly brought to you by Donald Trump."
COSATU calls for fuel levy relief
Briefly News reported that COSATU renewed calls for the government to temporarily suspend a portion of the fuel levy.
COSATU made the call following major price increases on 2 September 2026, saying the latest fuel price increases were unsustainable.
Preliminary data from the Central Energy Fund suggests further fuel price pressure could arrive in October 2026.
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Source: Briefly News
