... does not mean the end of high petrol and diesel prices for South Africa. Currently, only around a quarter of South Africa's crude oil imports originate directly from the Persian Gulf. The majority of South Africa's crude oil imports come from other African nations, such as Nigeria, Angola, and Ghana. However, this does not mean that the Middle East war ...

... global supply and indirectly affecting prices in South Africa. Weak rand adds pressure The local currency remains another critical factor. A weaker rand against the US dollar increases the cost of imported fuel, amplifying global price increases for South African consumers. Pricing structure differences Unlike petrol, diesel prices in South Africa are not fully regulated and can fluctuate more frequently ...

... May 2026 South Africa petrol and diesel price: Updated forecast and survival guide As of April 20, 2026, the fuel situation in South Africa has evolved into a critical economic event. While mid-month data suggests a slight easing from the "doomsday" scenarios predicted in early April, motorists are still facing a historic increase scheduled for Wednesday, 6 May 2026. Sean ...

... April Under-recoveries for May sit above R10 per litre Brent crude prices have pushed past $100 a barrel For businesses that rely on diesel, this creates a volatile cost base that is hard to manage. Why South Africa is exposed South Africa now refines less than 35% of its fuel locally following the closure of the Sapref refinery in 2022. ...

... and model predictive control emerging as key solution for solar, storage and diesel coordination. A new study titled'A Systematic Review of Hierarchical Control Frameworks in Resilient Microgrids: South Africa Focus,' highlights how advanced hierarchical control frameworks can significantly improve the resilience and performance of microgrids operating under South Africa's ongoing power supply constraints. The study analysed 127 peer reviewed ...

... code provisions. Despite these gains, advisory firm Cresco warns that South Africa faces two critical risks to energy security, electricity reliability and diesel dependency. The ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has exposed the vulnerability of diesel as a reliable backup fuel. Diesel has historically served as the last line of defence for power systems, including in South Africa, ...

... By Dr Ernst van Biljon, head lecturer, Supply Chain Management, IMM Graduate School The current volatility in petrol and diesel prices in South Africa cannot be understood in isolation - it is a direct consequence of the escalating war in Iran and the associated disruption of global energy supply routes. Dr Ernst van Biljon, head lecturer, supply chain management, IMM ...

... South Africa should consider reviewing its fuel pricing laws that allow diesel sellers to set their own retail prices. This is the view of the director-general in the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, Jacob Mbele, who said the laws were set many years ago. Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Mbele addressed allegations of filling stations holding back fuel to sell ...

... having such a significant impact on fuel prices in the country. Packirisamy and Masike explained that, although only around a quarter of South Africa's crude oil imports originate directly from the Persian Gulf, the country has become increasingly reliant on diesel and petrol shipped from Gulf refining hubs. This has become particularly salient following the shutdown of several refineries in ...

... South Africa will reduce a tax imposed on fuel to offset the impact of surging oil prices on domestic gasoline, finance minister Enoch Godongwana said. The levy will be reduced by R3 per litre for both petrol and diesel in April, Godongwana said in an interview at the South Africa Investment Conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday. The measure will be ...

... jobs. Protecting workers and households must be the cornerstone of South Africa's response to global instability." IOL previously reported that low-income households across South Africa are facing high paraffin costs for cooking and heating, even as the government has temporarily reduced levies on petrol and diesel. "The government does not care about the poor; that's why they have not given ...

... up by R2.14 per litre * Diesel (0.05%): up by R5.92 per litre * Diesel (0.005%): up by R5.93 per litre * Illuminating paraffin: up by R4.99 per litre Why prices are rising The main driver behind the increases is the global oil price, which has surged amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East. South Africa, which imports a lot ...

... to electric with guaranteed power reliability and no wasted capital on'ghost' infrastructure." Zimi estimates there are three million commercial vehicles in South Africa that need to transition away from diesel, representing a significant market opportunity. Zimi sees the commercial sector as the primary growth engine for EVs in South Africa, driven by hard economics and global compliance pressures. The ...

... technology? To take your stranded gas and make it more valuable, so you can have your naphtha and your diesel." He described South Africa's financial sector as a source of cheap capital, explaining that the banks in South Africa have what he called ancient capital that have been there for years and well-established. He explained, "So we can tap on ...

... the General Fuel Levy (GFL) for petrol and diesel for much longer. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana recently noted that the country is ultimately a price-taker in oil markets and that there is little room to cushion motorists. Citigroup's chief economist for South Africa, Gina Schoeman, noted that South Africa has enough fiscal space to extend the GFL cut by two ...

... that is fundamentally unpredictable?" Fleet solutions group Everlectric currently manages more than 200 EVs across multiple commercial fleet clients in South Africa. Fuel prices are no longer a predictable input, says Plummer. "They are a moving target, driven by global events that have nothing to do with your business, your routes or your customers." At lower diesel prices, EVs - ...

... the costs first. Plug-in hybrids are by no means cheap in South Africa. They far exceed the price of petrol and diesel cars, and in most cases, pure electric cars as well. The most affordable car on sale in South Africa right now is the petrol-consuming Renault Kwid, with a price tag of R178,799, while the cheapest electric car, the ...

... does not mean the end of high petrol and diesel prices for South Africa. Currently, only around a quarter of South Africa's crude oil imports originate directly from the Persian Gulf. The majority of South Africa's crude oil imports come from other African nations, such as Nigeria, Angola, and Ghana. However, this does not mean that the Middle East war ...

... ever changing - an increase of 186 cents per litre is expected for petrol 93 octane motorists and an increase of 219 cents for 95 users is anticipated. Meanwhile, diesel motorists would see something between a 624 and 625 cents per litre increase. Finally, illuminating paraffin is expected to rise by 524 cents in price. FUEL PRICE IN SOUTH AFRICA ...

... that long-term consequences are inevitable, says Gobalsamy. In the short term, however, South Africa's agribusiness is considered relatively robust. Indications are that a strong crop for maize, South Africa's largest staple, is expected for the 2025/2026 season which is harvested between April-July, says RMB Morgan Stanley in a recent report. "But higher diesel and fertiliser prices could now be expected ...