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Petrol Price Shift for October 2025: What South Africans Will Pay at the Pumps
A mixed bag for motorists
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has released the official fuel price adjustments that take effect from Wednesday, 1 October 2025. Motorists will see only small increases in petrol prices, but diesel, paraffin, and LPG gas users can expect a little relief at the pumps.
For inland regions, 93 octane petrol climbs to R21.48 a litre, while 95 octane rises to R21.63. Coastal drivers will pay R20.69 for 93 octane and R20.80 for 95 octane. Diesel shows the opposite trend, with a drop of between 8 and 10 cents per litre, depending on the grade. Illuminating paraffin falls by 11 cents per litre, and LPG gas drops by 17 cents per kilogram, or 19 cents in Saldanha Bay.
Why the changes happened
Global and local forces combined to shape October’s outcome. Brent crude oil traded around 67 US dollars a barrel in September, edging higher in the final week. This uptick was linked to ongoing geopolitical conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, both of which continue to disrupt energy markets.
At the same time, the rand played a stronger hand. Averaging R17.49 against the dollar, it helped soften the impact of rising international oil prices. Without this appreciation, petrol increases could have been much sharper.
A wage deal factored in
One of the more overlooked aspects of fuel pricing this month comes from the forecourts themselves. Following a wage settlement signed in August by the Motor Industry Bargaining Council, the minister approved a 6.1 cent per litre increase in the petrol price structure. This ensures wage adjustments for forecourt workers are covered, and it came into effect on 1 October.
What it means for households
For South Africans, fuel adjustments go far beyond a number at the pump. Petrol price hikes ripple through transport costs, groceries, and household budgets. Even a modest increase of a few cents can affect taxi fares and delivery fees, which hit ordinary commuters and families the hardest.
This month’s slight cuts to diesel, paraffin, and LPG will be welcomed by small businesses, farmers, and households that depend on these fuels. Rural families that rely on paraffin for cooking or heating will especially feel the relief.
The public reaction
As always, news of the adjustment sparked chatter on social media. Some drivers shared relief that petrol hikes were minimal, while others pointed out that the bigger story is diesel’s drop. For logistics companies and the agricultural sector, cheaper diesel offers short-term breathing space. For city dwellers, though, the cost of filling up remains stubbornly high, with petrol inching close to R22 inland.
Looking ahead
October’s changes are a reminder of how fragile fuel prices are, caught between oil markets, currency swings and domestic policy. South Africans know the drill: plan ahead, budget tighter, and keep an eye on the monthly announcement. For now, the increases are small, but with global tensions still unresolved, November could tell a different story.
Also read: Windows 10 Users in South Africa Get a Reprieve with Free Extended Support
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Source: Business Tech
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