South Africa Announces Mixed Fuel Price Adjustments for August

The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy announced fuel price adjustments for South Africa effective August 5, 2026. Petrol prices for both 93-octane and 95-octane grades will decrease by 52 cents per litre, while LP gas prices will drop by R4.41 per kilogram nationwide and R5.03 per kilogram in the Western Cape.

Conversely, diesel and illuminating paraffin prices will rise. The 0.05% sulphur diesel will increase by R1.38 per litre, and 0.005% sulphur diesel will increase by R1.23 per litre. Reports on the paraffin increase vary between R1.52 and R2.03 per litre. The slate levy for petrol and diesel was reduced from 113.94 cents to 61.38 cents per litre.

Department spokesperson Robert Maake attributed the petrol decrease to lower global demand and a drop in average Brent crude oil prices from $86.53 to $82.37. He noted that the diesel spike resulted from a depreciating rand against the US dollar, supply shortages, and Russian export restrictions tied to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, combined with Middle East refineries operating below capacity.