Steep September fuel price hike looms for SA motorists
South Africans could pay more to fill their cars next month, with higher fuel costs also putting pressure on food prices and household budgets.
South African motorists could be in for another painful hit at the pumps in September, with diesel prices potentially jumping by almost R3 a litre and petrol by up to 77 cents, reports Polokwane Review.
The latest Central Energy Fund (CEF) data points to increases across all fuel grades, raising fresh concerns about the knock-on effect on transport costs, food prices and household budgets.
The projected increases come just weeks after motorists received modest relief on some fuel prices, with the latest figures showing that the recovery has now swung firmly into negative territory.
Mid-August data breakdown
According to the CEF’s mid-August data, petrol 93 is showing an under-recovery of about 66 cents a litre, while petrol 95 is sitting at about 77 cents.
Diesel is under even greater pressure, with projected increases of R2.73 a litre for 0.05% diesel and R2.89 for 0.005% diesel.
Illuminating paraffin is showing an under-recovery of about R2.15 a litre.
The potential diesel increase is particularly significant because diesel is widely used by the transport, agricultural, construction and logistics sectors. A sharp increase could therefore filter through to the cost of moving goods and, ultimately, the prices consumers pay.
Broader economic pressure
The impact is already being felt after a year of steep fuel price increases. Petrol 95 has risen by about 20% so far in 2026, while diesel has increased by about 33%, according to recent reporting.
For motorists, a 77-cent increase would add about R35 to the cost of filling a 45-litre petrol tank. A 100-litre diesel fill-up at an additional R2.89 a litre would cost almost R290 more.
The projections are not yet final. The CEF figures will continue to move as international fuel prices and the rand-dollar exchange rate change during the remainder of August.
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is expected to announce the official September fuel prices at the end of the month, with the new prices taking effect in early September.
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