Motorists will get some relief at the pumps this week after the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announced a 52 cents per litre cut in the price of petrol, while diesel users will face steep increases from Wednesday, 5 August 2026.
The monthly fuel price adjustments, announced by the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources on Monday, come after a decline in international crude oil prices helped lower the cost of petrol. However, rising global diesel prices and a weaker rand pushed up the price of diesel and illuminating paraffin.
From Wednesday, both 93 and 95 octane grades of petrol will decrease by 52 cents per litre.
By contrast, the price of diesel containing 0.05 per cent sulphur will increase by 138.44 cents per litre, while diesel containing 0.005 per cent sulphur will rise by 123.44 cents per litre.
The wholesale price of illuminating paraffin will increase by R1.52 per litre, while the Single Maximum National Retail Price for illuminating paraffin will increase by R2.03 per litre.
Consumers using liquefied petroleum gas will receive some relief, with the maximum retail price of LPGas decreasing by 441 cents per kilogram. In the Western Cape, where LPGas is imported through the Port of Saldanha Bay, the maximum retail price will decrease by 503 cents per kilogram.
The department said South Africa’s fuel prices are adjusted every month based on international and domestic market conditions.
According to the department, the average Brent crude oil price declined from 86.53 US dollars per barrel during the previous review period to 82.37 US dollars per barrel.
It said renewed tensions between the United States and Iran briefly pushed oil prices close to the 100 dollar per barrel mark. However, those increases were offset by significant price declines following a ceasefire memorandum of understanding between the two countries, as well as weaker global demand for crude oil during the first half of the review period.
The department also pointed to differing trends in international refined fuel prices.
It said average international petrol prices fell during the period under review, contributing to a lower Basic Fuel Price for petrol by 6.08 cents per litre.
However, international diesel and illuminating paraffin prices increased significantly due to supply shortages linked to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russia’s diesel export restrictions, combined with Middle Eastern refineries operating below capacity, resulted in higher contributions to the Basic Fuel Price of diesel by 182.62 cents per litre and illuminating paraffin by 143.32 cents per litre.
The average prices of propane and butane, which are used in the production of LPGas, declined during the review period, contributing to the lower retail price of LPGas.
The department said the exchange rate also played a role in the latest adjustments.
The rand weakened slightly against the US dollar, depreciating from an average of R16.34 to R16.46 to the dollar during the review period.
As a result, the weaker currency added 6.37 cents per litre to the Basic Fuel Price of petrol, 8.14 cents per litre to diesel and 7.89 cents per litre to illuminating paraffin.
Another factor influencing the August fuel prices was the implementation of the Slate Levy.
The department said the cumulative slate balance for petrol and diesel stood at a negative R7.418 billion at the end of June 2026.
In line with the Self Adjusting Slate Levy Mechanism, a slate levy of 61.38 cents per litre will be included in the price structures of petrol and diesel from 5 August.
Although the levy remains in place, it has been reduced by 52.56 cents per litre from the previous level of 113.94 cents per litre.
The department also confirmed that the Maximum Refinery Gate Price for LPGas imported through the Port of Saldanha Bay will be R14 562.59 per metric ton from Wednesday, while the Maximum Retail Price in the Western Cape will be R35.81 per kilogram.
The department said the detailed fuel price schedule for all Magisterial District Zones will be published on Tuesday, 4 August 2026.
