Fuel price catastrophe: Diesel up by R7.51 and Petrol by R3.06 in record-breaking hike

Zuko Komisa

• Petrol prices will rise by R3.06 per litre, while diesel users face a steep hike of up to R7.51 per litre.
• Global crude costs have soared due to US-Iran tensions affecting the Strait of Hormuz and increased maritime shipping fees.
• A temporary R3.00 per litre levy reduction has been implemented to partially offset record-breaking international price pressures.

The Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has confirmed significant fuel price hikes effective from Wednesday, 1 April 2026, driven by a volatile global oil market and a weakening currency.

The primary catalyst for the surge is the average Brent Crude price climbing from $69.08 to $93.67 (USD).

This spike is largely attributed to escalating tensions between the US and Iran, which have severely disrupted supply chains through the critical Strait of Hormuz.

Additionally, the Rand’s depreciation against the US Dollar moving from R16.00 to R16.64 has further inflated the Basic Fuel Price, compounded by rising shipping costs due to Middle Eastern instability.

To mitigate the impact of these “shock” increases, the government has introduced a temporary relief measure, slashing the general fuel levy by R3.00 per litre until 5 May 2026.

Despite this intervention, consumers will still face higher costs at the pumps due to annual adjustments to the Road Accident Fund (RAF) and carbon levies, alongside revised transport and pipeline tariffs.

Summary of price adjustments

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