South Africans face higher petrol prices despite fuel levy relief
The latest fuel price adjustments have pushed petrol prices higher, while diesel, illuminating paraffin and LP gas users benefit from substantial price decreases.
Petrol users will face higher prices from today, but the government’s reduction in the general fuel levy has helped soften the impact and shield consumers and the economy from sharper inflationary pressures.
The intervention forms part of a broader fuel pricing adjustment announced by the Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (DMPR).
In line with the Minister of Finance’s announcement, the department confirmed that the temporary general fuel levy relief has been adjusted to R1.50 per litre for petrol and R1.96 per litre for diesel, effective from today until June 30.
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“The amount of general fuel levy relief has accordingly been reduced by R1.50 per litre for petrol and R1.96 per litre for diesel,” the DMPR said in a statement.
The measure comes at a fiscal cost, with the National Treasury indicating that the temporary relief between April and June amounted to about R17.2b.
Treasury Director-General Dr Duncan Pieterse said the intervention would be funded through fiscal savings from the previous financial year, ensuring it remains budget-neutral.
“This will be funded by the fiscal outperformance from the previous year and will therefore be fiscally neutral,” Pieterse said, adding that similar interventions had been implemented during previous global fuel shocks, including after the Russia–Ukraine conflict.
Despite the levy adjustment, fuel price movements for the month remain mixed, with petrol increasing while diesel and other fuels recorded significant decreases.
The latest adjustments are as follows:
- Petrol 93 (ULP & LRP): increase of R1.43
- Petrol 95 (ULP & LRP): increase of R1.43
- Diesel (0.05% sulphur): decrease of R3.24
- Diesel (0.005% sulphur): decrease of R2.61
- Illuminating paraffin (wholesale): decrease of R5.96
- Maximum retail price of illuminating paraffin: decrease of R7.95
- LP gas: decrease of 17c/kg, and 20c/kg in the Western Cape
The DMPR said lower global demand for middle distillates contributed to the sharper reductions in diesel and paraffin prices, as seasonal demand in the northern hemisphere declines during summer.
“These factors led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin,” the department said.
It added that while propane and butane prices remained unchanged during the review period, reduced freight costs contributed to relief in the liquid petroleum gas market.
Although petrol users will feel the pinch of the increase, lower diesel, paraffin and gas prices are expected to provide some relief for households an
