Johannesburg – South African motorists and businesses are set to benefit from lower diesel prices in November, while petrol prices will remain largely unchanged following government fuel-levy reductions aimed at easing rising living costs.
The wholesale price of diesel will decrease by up to 1.20 rand per litre from November 4, while the regulated petrol price will fall marginally by just 1 cent per litre, according to the Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.
The adjustments follow fuel-tax reductions announced by the finance minister during last month's mid-year budget review. The government reduced the fuel levy by 3 rand per litre for diesel and 1.50 rand per litre for petrol, effective November 4 to December 1.
Smaller levy reductions will remain in place until January 5 as part of broader efforts to cushion households and businesses against rising living costs.
However, the petroleum department noted that higher international crude oil and refined petroleum product prices, alongside a weaker South African rand, had contributed to November's fuel price adjustments.
South Africa remains heavily dependent on imported fuel, leaving domestic prices exposed to fluctuations in global energy markets and movements in the exchange rate.
Key Figures
Diesel levy reduction: R3 per litre.
Petrol levy reduction: R1.50 per litre.
Diesel wholesale price adjustment: Down by up to R1.20 per litre.
Petrol price adjustment: Down by 1 cent per litre.
Effective date: November 4, 2026.
Temporary levy relief: Through January 5, 2027.
Source: Reuters
Reporting: Sfundo Parakozov, Nilutpal Timsina & Anathi Madubela
Editing: Alexander Winning
