Fuel Prices Surge in SA

A substantial fuel price increase comes into effect in April 2019. Details below.

South African motorists will be hit hard in the month of April 2019 as fuel tax adjustments and rising fuel prices tighten its grip on household budgets.

The increase in fuel prices have been compounded by fuel tax adjustments which include an additional 15 cents per litre towards the fuel levy as well as an additional 5 cents per litre which will be fed into the Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy.

In addition to this, the Rand performed poorly against the US Dollar in March 2019, depreciating from R13.80 to R14.36 while prices of Brent Crude oil also increased. These, and other, factors have contributed to fuel price increases that consumers will have to absorb.

The price of 93 and 95 octane petrol will increase by R1.34 and R1.31 per litre respectively as of Wednesday 3 April 2019 while the price of 0.05% and 0.005% sulphur diesel will increase by 81.7 cents and 82.7 cents per litre respectively. Illuminating Paraffin will increase by 63 cents per litre.

The AA commented: “We are exceptionally concerned about the Rand's trajectory, given that no specific factors have arisen this month which could account for the decline. The currency's slide might reflect an accelerating loss of appetite for foreign direct investment in South Africa. We urgently call on the government to take concrete steps to address the economic weaknesses which are affecting the country's attractiveness to foreign capital.”

South African households are already under tremendous financial pressure and fuel price increases will have a negative impact on both the economy and household budgets as transport and food costs increase further.