Overview
- Preliminary Central Energy Fund figures point to large provisional November increases, with estimates showing up to about R3.35 per litre on Petrol 95 and other big rises for diesel and paraffin.
- South African pump prices already jumped in early October when petrol rose by more than R3 per litre and diesel by about R3.24 per litre after the monthly adjustment took effect on 7 October.
- Officials link the pressure to higher international crude prices and a weaker rand, which raise the cost of imported petroleum and create under‑recoveries between import costs and current pump levies.
- Higher diesel costs threaten farmers, freight operators and public transport by raising operating expenses, which can be passed on to consumers through higher food and transport prices.
- Government faces tight choices on relief because an April R3‑a‑litre levy cut cost the budget over R17 billion, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has said, while the AA and civil‑society groups urge temporary tax relief such as using the R7–R8 of embedded fuel taxes.