Petrol and diesel prices rise in March and April could hurt even more

Four-year lows fading as new hikes kick in

South African motorists have been enjoying a rare break at the pumps, with fuel prices sitting at four-year lows.

But that relief is officially coming to an end.

The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has confirmed that both grades of petrol will increase by 20 cents per litre from Wednesday, 4 March. Diesel drivers will feel an even sharper pinch, with prices climbing between 62 cents (500ppm) and 65 cents (50ppm).

For many households already stretching budgets to make it to month-end, the timing couldn’t be worse.

Here’s what you’ll pay from Wednesday

From 4 March, 95 Unleaded will cost R19.47 per litre at the coast and R20.30 inland. In Gauteng, 93 Unleaded will retail at R20.19 per litre.

Diesel’s wholesale price will reach R17.84 at the coast and R19.17 inland.

While the increases may seem modest for petrol, diesel’s jump is significant and that matters beyond bakkie drivers and logistics fleets. Diesel fuels trucks that transport food, building materials and everyday goods. When diesel rises sharply, ripple effects often follow in store prices.

Why prices are climbing again

The main culprit is higher international product prices recorded during February.

According to the department, the average price of Brent Crude rose from $64.08 to $69.08 during the review period. Higher shipping rates and geopolitical tension between the US and Iran added pressure to global markets.

A firmer rand helped cushion the blow. Without it, officials say petrol could have jumped by around 35 cents per litre, and diesel by close to 80 cents.

Still, the broader global picture isn’t reassuring. Brent was trading at $77.79 on Wednesday morning 11.4% higher than a week earlier largely due to escalating conflict in the Middle East.

If that trend continues, April’s numbers may be steeper.

April brings tax increases too

Even if global oil prices stabilise, motorists are facing additional costs from tax adjustments announced during last week’s 2026 Budget Speech.

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana confirmed increases to the General Fuel Levy (GFL), the Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy and the carbon fuel levy.

From 1 April:

• The GFL will rise by 9 cents per litre for petrol and 8 cents for diesel.

• The carbon fuel levy will increase by 5 cents for petrol and 6 cents for diesel.

• The RAF levy will go up by 7 cents per litre.

In total, motorists face an additional 21 cents per litre across both fuel types.

After these adjustments, drivers will be contributing R2.25 per litre to the RAF, while the GFL portion on petrol will climb to R4.10 per litre.

Pressure on households

Bobby Ramagwede, CEO of the Automobile Association of South Africa, warned that inflation-linked increases across the board will place further strain on households.

He argued that the Budget presented an opportunity to offer meaningful relief by lowering mobility costs to stimulate economic activity.

While tax adjustments may be defensible in principle, Ramagwede cautioned that allocating more money to the RAF does little to address its structural inefficiencies.

On social media, frustration is already bubbling. Many South Africans are calculating what the increases mean for school runs, long commutes and small businesses dependent on deliveries. Others are questioning why fuel levies continue to rise when disposable income feels increasingly squeezed.

The bigger picture

Fuel prices are about more than filling up.

They influence transport costs, food inflation and even small business viability. In a country where many people rely on private vehicles due to limited public transport options, fuel is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.

The irony is that just as South Africans began to breathe a little easier at the pumps, global tensions and fiscal pressures have tightened the screws again.

March’s increases may be manageable for some. But with April’s tax hikes looming and oil markets on edge, the relief of four-year lows may soon feel like a distant memory.