The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has officially announced price increments for 1 September 2025. Both petrol and diesel prices are due to climb under the sway of world factors and exchange rate shifts that continue to define the fuel prices locally.
Key Fuel Price Changes
The adjustments are to come into force from Wednesday, 4 Sep 2025:
- Petrol 93 Octane (Unleaded): R0.72 per litre increase
- Petrol 95 Octane (Unleaded): R0.68 per litre increase
- Diesel 0.05% Sulphur: R0.55 per litre increase
- Diesel 0.005% Sulphur: R0.58 per litre increase
- lluminating Paraffin: R0.40 per litre increase.
Reasons For Price Rise
Several economic factors are at play behind this adjustment:
- High oil prices with Brent crude at more than $85 per barrel, mainly because of cuts in production among some influencers.
- The rand has weakened against the US dollar, making fuel imports more expensive.
- The refining margins have gone up, having a piling effect on local prices.Optionally, costs for logistics, distribution, and regulatory levies also are piled into the price rise. These piled factors mean higher prices at the pump must remain inevitable.
Impacts On Everyday South Africans
Here are a set of ways in which the increase may directly hit the household economy:
- An increase of roughly R36 will have to be borne for the filling up of a 50-litre tank.
- Taxi and bus drivers will likely increase fares to pass on costs to travelers.
- Logistical costs will strike upward, hence grocery prices for families may be affected.
- Such increases will impart added pressure on paraffin-using households in resource-limited rural areas for cooking and heating.
- Small-scale enterprises, particularly those relying on some form of delivery or tourism, can see their profit margins shrinking.
Ways Consumers Can Mitigate The Impact
Here are some practical tips to reduce effects of fuel costs:
- Drive within the limits of efficiency – stand idling less, avoid sudden acceleration, minimize excess weight.
- Carpooling with neighbors and colleagues to share the cost of travel.
- Public transport should be used whenever possible- normally cheaper than car costs.
- Maintain your car well for better mileage and less fuel consumption.
- Plan your errands – combine trips wherever possible to save on fuel in total.
Long Term View
Fuel prices are under constant change due to global geopolitical shifts, the changes and needs in the oil market, and the movements of currencies. There is a hope that the price will stabilize, but for the remainder of 2025, huge price swings can be expected. Even authorities are currently trying to chart options for the long term, such as through encouraging higher use of electric vehicles and investing in renewable energy, though we may yet be years away from major change.
Also Read: South Africa Public Sector Salary Hike September 2025: Check New Pay Scales