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South Africa‘s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has announced fuel price increases effective from May 6, driven by rising crude oil prices amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran.
“The average Brent Crude oil price increased from 93.67 US Dollars (USD) to 101 USD during the period under review,” the department said in a statement on Monday.
“This is due to the continued tension between the US and Iran, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and damage to other crucial infrastructure which have affected crude oil supply.”
Petrol and diesel to rise
The department announced the following adjustments:
“Petrol 93 and 95 (ULP & LRP): Three Rands and twenty-seven cents per litre (R3,27 per litre) increase.
“Diesel (0.05% sulphur): Six Rands and nineteen cents per litre (R6,19 per litre) increase.
“Diesel (0.005% sulphur): Six Rands and nineteen cents per litre (R6,19 per litre) increase.
“Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale): Four Rands and twenty-two cents per litre (R4,22 per litre) increase.
“SMNRP for IP: Five Rands and sixty-three cents per litre (R5,63 per litre) increase.”
International product prices
The department said international product prices followed the increasing trend of crude oil prices.
“The prices of middle distillates (diesel and paraffin) increased more than petrol prices because of higher demand and reduced supply from the Persian Gulf,” the statement read.
These factors led to “higher contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin by R2.04 per litre, R4,96 per litre and R4,21 per litre, respectively.”
Rand exchange rate
The South African rand remained stable against the US dollar during the review period.
“The Rand remained constant on average, against the US Dollar (from 16.64 to 16.65 Rand per USD) during the period under review when compared to the previous one,” the department said.
This led to “a contribution of less than one cent per liter to the Basic Fuel Prices.”
Slate levy implemented
The department announced the implementation of a slate levy.
“The cumulative slate amounted to a negative balance of R14.173 billion for petrol and diesel at the end of March 2026,” the statement read.
“In line with the provisions of the Self-Adjusting Slate Levy Mechanism, the slate levy of 122.70 c/l will be implemented in the price structures of petrol and diesel with effect from the 6th of May 2026.”
Temporary relief measure extended
Due to the ongoing US-Iran conflict, the department said a temporary relief measure has been extended.
“The Minister of Finance in consultation with the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announced a further temporary reduction in the general fuel levy of 300.0 c/l to be implemented in the price structures of petrol and R393.0 c/l for diesel from the 6th of May 2026 to the 2nd June 2026,” the statement read.
LPGas prices
The department also announced new prices for LPGas imported through the Port of Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape.
“The Maximum Refinery Gate Price (MRGP) and the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of LPGas that is imported through the Port of Saldanha Bay will be R18 375.72 per metric ton and R40,85 per kilogram, respectively, effective from the 6th of May 2026.”
The department said the fuel prices schedule for different magisterial district zones will be published on May 5.
STATEMENT: THE MINISTER OF MINERAL AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES ANNOUNCES ADJUSTMENT OF FUEL PRICES EFFECTIVE FROM 6 MAY 2026. pic.twitter.com/sQRe7iLBWL
— Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (@DMPR_ZA) May 4, 2026
