Motorists will pay more for petrol from Wednesday after the latest monthly fuel price adjustments came into effect, although government intervention helped limit the increase.
The National Treasury has begun scaling back the temporary fuel levy relief introduced earlier this year, restoring 75 cents per litre on both petrol and diesel. This is lower than the previous relief measures of R1.50 per litre for petrol and R1.96 per litre for diesel.
According to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR), the adjustment forms part of the government’s plan to gradually withdraw the fuel levy relief announced earlier by the Finance Minister.
Petrol Price Increase Takes Effect Across South Africa
Despite the continued levy relief, motorists using petrol will still face a notable increase this month.
The DMPR confirmed that all grades of petrol will rise by R1.43 per litre from Wednesday, adding further pressure to household and transport budgets.
The increase comes after months of fuel levy support aimed at cushioning consumers from higher fuel costs.
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While petrol users will pay more at the pumps, diesel consumers can expect lower prices this month.
Diesel prices have been reduced by between R2.62 and R3.25 per litre, depending on the grade.
Meanwhile, illuminating paraffin has recorded an even larger decrease.
Department spokesperson Robert Maake said the price of illuminating paraffin would drop by R5.96 per litre.
Government Explains Fuel Levy Relief Reduction
Explaining the latest adjustment, Maake said, “The amount of general fuel levy relief has been reduced by R1.50 cents per litre for petrol and by R1.96 cents per litre for diesel in line with the announcement by the Minister of Finance. This late levy increases by 35 cents per litre from 122.70 to 157.74 cents per litre.”
The department said the reduction in fuel levy relief is part of the phased withdrawal of the temporary measures introduced to assist consumers earlier this year.
