South Africans Brace for Higher Fuel Costs as March Petrol Price Takes Effect

South Africans will feel another squeeze at the pumps this week as the Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources confirms new fuel price increases effective Wednesday, 4 March 2026.

The adjustments come at a time when households are already battling rising food prices, higher electricity costs and the everyday realities of a tight economy. Across the country, many motorists say they are planning trips more carefully and thinking about how this increase will affect their monthly budgets.

Why Fuel Prices Are Rising Again

February brought a wave of uncertainty in global oil markets. Tensions between the United States and Iran escalated, with the US and Israel launching attacks that pushed crude oil prices sharply higher.

Oil climbed from under 60 dollars a barrel to above 80 dollars, with the biggest jump happening on the final day of the month.

The rand did strengthen during the same period, helping to soften the blow slightly. But the currency’s resilience was not enough to counter the global rise in oil prices.

Official Price Increases for March

From Wednesday, motorists will face the following national increases:

• Petrol 93: +20 cents per litre

• Petrol 95: +20 cents per litre

• Diesel 0.05%: +62 cents per litre

• Diesel 0.005%: +65 cents per litre

• Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale): +44 cents per litre

• LPGas (Gauteng): +23 cents per kg

The Department reported that international product prices for petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin all increased during the review period. The average rand to dollar exchange rate also improved slightly, moving from R16.3054 to R15.9959.

The Slate Levy remains unchanged at 0.00 cents per litre.

What You Will Pay at the Pumps

Here is how the revised prices compare to last month:

Inland Region

• 93 Petrol: R20.19

• 95 Petrol: R20.30

• Diesel 0.05%: R18.53

• Diesel 0.005%: R18.60

• Illuminating Paraffin: R12.54

• LPGas per kg: R34.97

Coastal Region

• 93 Petrol: R19.40

• 95 Petrol: R19.47

• Diesel 0.05%: R17.70

• Diesel 0.005%: R17.84

• Illuminating Paraffin: R11.52

• LPGas per kg: R31.72

LPGas Through Saldanha Bay

• R33.84 per kg

• Increase of 26 cents

What This Means for South Africans

For many South Africans, a fuel hike is more than a budget inconvenience. It influences school transport, daily commutes, food prices and public transport fares. Taxi operators, delivery services and logistics companies often reassess operating costs when diesel spikes, which eventually filters down to consumers.

Although the rand has shown welcome strength, global tensions have made oil markets unpredictable. Until international stability returns, South Africans may need to prepare for more price fluctuations in the months ahead.

{Source:Business Tech}

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