September fuel hikes set to be worse than expected
September's fuel price projections have gotten worse. The latest data show a bigger hit than mid-month projections, with diesel users feeling it most.
LIMPOPO – Motorists are bracing for another round of fuel price increases in September, with diesel set to take the biggest hit and petrol increases now expected to exceed earlier projections.
According to the latest data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), all fuel grades have moved sharply into under-recovery territory, pointing to significant increases at the pumps in September.
Based on the latest CEF snapshot, motorists could face the following increases:
| Fuel Type | Expected increase |
| Petrol 93 | Around R0.90 |
| Petrol 95 | Around R1.01 |
| Diesel 0.05% | Around R2.88 |
| Diesel 0.005% | Around R3.09 |
| Illuminating paraffin | Around R2.24 |
The latest projections represent an escalation from mid-month estimates, which had pointed to petrol increases of around 66-77c per litre.
An unsteady year
The September outlook marks the latest twist in a year of extreme volatility at the pumps. If the latest projections hold, diesel will have risen more than R11 per litre since March 2026.
Petrol 95 has increased from R20.30 in March to R25.58 in August. Now, with September’s projected increase, the price is set to climb even further.
READ MORE: The year that broke the pumps: 2026’s fuel price nightmare
The mid-to-late August projections are based on CEF tracking data and are not final. The official fuel prices for September will be confirmed by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) during the final weekend of August. The new prices will take effect at midnight on Wednesday, September 2.
