Massive Fuel Price Hike Hits South Africa — Diesel Breaches R30/litre
Motorists face punishing increases as geopolitical tensions drive oil prices higher
South African motorists are in for another painful trip to the pumps from Wednesday, 2 September 2026, after the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources confirmed steep fuel price increases across the board.
Both grades of petrol – 93 and 95 unleaded – will increase by R1.34 per litre. Diesel customers face an even heavier blow, with the wholesale price of 500ppm diesel rising by R2.94 per litre and 50ppm diesel by R3.15 per litre – pushing the cleaner fuel past the R30 per litre mark inland.
New Fuel Prices from Wednesday
Inland (Gauteng):
- 93 unleaded petrol: R26.76 per litre
- 95 unleaded petrol: R26.92 per litre
- 500ppm diesel (wholesale): R29.11 per litre
- 50ppm diesel (wholesale): R30.05 per litre
Coastal:
- 95 unleaded petrol: R26.05 per litre
- 500ppm diesel (wholesale): R28.24 per litre
- 50ppm diesel (wholesale): R28.79 per litre
What This Means for Your Pocket
The impact on household budgets will be immediate. Filling a 70‑litre diesel bakkie will cost an extra R205 for 500ppm diesel or R220 for the cleaner 50ppm variant. A 45‑litre petrol tank will set motorists back an additional *R60.30. Even small cars will feel the pinch – a 30‑litre refuel will cost *R40 more.
For commercial operators, the picture is grimmer. With wholesale 5ppm diesel breaching R30 per litre inland, freight, agriculture and logistics operators face severe cost increases that are expected to filter down to consumer goods and food prices.
