South African motorists can expect a mixed bag at the pumps this week, as fuel price adjustments come into effect.
From Wednesday, both grades of petrol will decrease marginally by 5 cents per litre. However, diesel users will benefit from a far more significant drop of 36 cents per litre. The price of illuminating paraffin will also fall steeply, by 75 cents per litre.
According to Robert Maake from the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, the strengthening of the rand during the review period played a key role in these adjustments.
“The average international petrol prices rose slightly due to seasonal shifts, with refineries switching to summer-grade fuel ahead of the Northern Hemisphere's driving season,” Maake explained. “However, diesel and illuminating paraffin prices tracked the decline in global crude oil prices.”
These dynamics resulted in a 19.11 cents per litre increase in the Basic Fuel Price (BFP) for petrol, while diesel and paraffin saw BFP decreases of 11.91 cents and 16.70 cents per litre respectively.
Adding to the changes at the pump, Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana announced during his Budget Vote Speech on 21 May 2025 that the Fuel Levy will increase from 4 June. The levy will rise by 16 cents per litre for petrol and 15 cents for diesel, bringing the total Fuel Levy to 415 cents per litre for petrol and 402 cents for diesel.
The Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy remains unchanged at 218 cents per litre for both petrol and diesel.
These changes come amid broader efforts to balance global market influences with domestic fiscal measures a challenge that continues to impact the cost of living for South African consumers.