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Motorists in South Africa will be faced with serious decision making on whether to continue to use their private vehicles or opt for public transport as fuel prices continue to sky rocket due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
The minister for the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Mr Gwede Mantashe announced major jumps in fuel prices that will take effect from Tuesday, 6 May 2026. The jump in prices may also lead to taxi fares to being increased as well. Food prices are also expected to increase as business will pass the extra costs of transport on to the consumer.
According to the Minister of Treasury Mr Enoch Godongwana, government is already loosing R17.2 billion in tax revenue as the government is trying to cushion customers from the impact of the fuel price hikes.
Mantashe said a number of international factors were considered or rather affected the increase in fuel prices. As the blockade continues in the Strait of Hormuz, Crude Oil prices shot up from US$93. 67 to US$101 during the period under review.
The Minister said the average 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. 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, Fuel Price Adjustments for May 2026 respectively. The prices of Propane and Butane increased during the period under review due to limited global supply since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The Rand however remained constant against the US Dollar trading at $16. 64 to $16.65 during the period under review. This led to a contribution of less than one cent per liter to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and Illuminating Paraffin during the period under review.
Fuel Prices were adjusted as follows:
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. Media Statement – Fuel Price Adjustments for May 2026.
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.
Maximum Retail Price of LPGas: Five Rands and seven cents per kilogram (R5,07 per kg) increase in Gauteng and five Rands and seventy-eight cents per kilogram (R5,78 per kg) increase in the Western Cape.
