Petrol prices in South Africa will increase by 14% and diesel by nearly 24% from Wednesday, 6 May, due to the ongoing Iran war. The Department of Mineral Resources and Petroleum (DMPR) announced the hikes amid rising global Brent crude prices. Temporary fuel levy reductions offer some relief.
South African motorists face higher fuel costs starting at midnight on 6 May 2026. The Department of Mineral Resources and Petroleum (DMPR) stated on Monday that petrol grades 93 and 95 will rise by R3.27 per litre to R26.52, approaching the July 2022 record high set after Russia's war in Ukraine began. Diesel prices will increase by R6.19 per litre to R32.09.
The hikes stem from Brent crude oil averaging $101 in April, up from $93.67, despite a stable rand. DMPR attributed the surge to the US-Iran conflict, which escalated after US and Israeli attacks on Iran at the end of February.
The minister of finance, in consultation with the minister of mineral and petroleum resources, announced a temporary reduction in the general fuel levy: 300.0 c/l for petrol and 393.0 c/l for diesel, effective from 6 May to 2 June 2026. This provides some offset to the increases.
The price rises are expected to fuel inflation, prompting prospects of the South African Reserve Bank (Sarb) hiking interest rates at its next Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting later in May. Earlier this year, economists anticipated falling rates as inflation eased.
