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Official February fuel prices drop again as South Africans get relief at the pumps
For the second month in a row, South African motorists are getting a rare bit of good news at the pumps. From Wednesday, 4 February 2026, petrol prices officially drop across the country, giving households some breathing space after a tough start to the year.
The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources confirmed that both 93 and 95 petrol will fall by 65 cents per litre, while diesel prices will also ease by between 50 and 57 cents per litre. It is a meaningful cut at a time when every rand still matters for commuters, small businesses and delivery drivers.
Why fuel prices are falling despite global tension
January was not a calm month on the global stage. Oil prices climbed sharply as geopolitical tension between the United States and Iran stirred fresh uncertainty in the Middle East. Crude oil rose from below 60 dollars a barrel to above 70 dollars by the end of the month, usually a warning sign for higher fuel costs.
What softened the blow for South Africa was the rand. A strong rally pushed the currency below R16 to the dollar, its strongest level in more than three years. That currency strength helped offset the spike in oil prices and kept local fuel price recoveries positive overall.
By the time January closed, the late surge in oil had eaten into some of those gains, but not enough to reverse them. The result is a second consecutive fuel price cut for 2026.
What motorists will pay from 4 February
The drop will be felt differently depending on where you live. Inland drivers will see 93 petrol fall from R20.64 to R19.99 per litre, while 95 petrol drops from R20.75 to R20.10.
Along the coast, prices are slightly lower, with 93 petrol moving from R19.85 to R19.20 and 95 petrol from R19.92 to R19.27.
Diesel users also benefit, although the official figures reflect wholesale prices, and pump prices may vary. Inland diesel at 0.05 percent sulphur falls from R18.41 to R17.91, while the lower sulphur 0.005 percent diesel drops from R18.52 to R17.95. Coastal diesel prices follow a similar pattern.
Illuminating paraffin sees one of the biggest drops, down by 70 cents per litre, which matters for households that still rely on it for heating and cooking. LPG gas, however, goes against the trend, increasing by 31 cents per kilogram in Gauteng and slightly more in Saldanha.
Official fuel prices from 4 February 2026
| Fuel | Inland | Coastal |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol 93 | R19.99 | R19.20 |
| Petrol 95 | R20.10 | R19.27 |
| Diesel 0.05% sulphur (wholesale) | R17.91 | R17.08 |
| Diesel 0.005% sulphur (wholesale) | R17.95 | R17.19 |
| Illuminating paraffin | R11.93 | R10.92 |
| LPG gas per kg | R34.74 | R31.48 |
How South Africans are reacting
On social media, the reaction has been cautiously positive. Many motorists are welcoming the relief but remain wary, knowing how quickly global events can swing fuel prices the other way. Others point out that while the cut helps, prices are still high compared to a few years ago.
For commuters in Johannesburg and other inland cities, breaking back below the R20 per litre mark feels symbolic. It may not change monthly budgets overnight, but it does ease pressure on transport costs that feed into food prices, deliveries and everyday services.
What to watch next
Fuel prices remain at the mercy of two forces: global oil markets and the rand. Any renewed escalation in the Middle East or a sudden shift in investor sentiment towards emerging markets could quickly undo the gains seen in February.
For now, though, February’s fuel price cut offers a small but welcome pause in a long cycle of increases. For many South Africans, that alone is worth appreciating.
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Source: Business Tech
Featured Image: News24
