South African motorists face steep fuel price hikes on Wednesday, with petrol expected to rise by up to R6 per litre in early April, according to the Central Energy Fund (CEF).
The sharp increases are linked to the ongoing Middle East war, which has disrupted global oil supply and contributed to rising under-recoveries in local fuel prices. CEF data shows petrol under-recoveries currently range between R5.24 and R5.76 per litre, while diesel under-recoveries have reached R9.86 to R10.00 per litre. Under-recoveries on illuminating paraffin are even higher, at R11.46 per litre.
The average petrol under-recovery is R5.62 per litre. When combined with a 21-cent-per-litre tax hike, motorists are effectively subsidizing around R3 per litre. If current trends persist, petrol prices could reach about R29 per litre by May 2026, while diesel could hit R9.37 per litre.
The CEF warns that these increases will place significant strain on household budgets and transport costs, with the global oil supply situation expected to keep pressure on local fuel prices.
No tags for this post.
