Fuel price changes: petrol drops, diesel and paraffin rise

South African motorists will see mixed fuel price changes at the pumps from Wednesday, 5 August 2026, with petrol prices falling while diesel and illuminating paraffin become more expensive. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) announced that 93- and 95-octane petrol will decrease by 52 cents per litre. However, diesel prices will increase by R1.38 per litre for 0.05% (500ppm) and R1.23 per litre for 0.005% (50ppm).

Illuminating paraffin will rise by R1.52 per litre, while the price of LP gas will decrease by R4.41 per kilogramme nationally and R5.03 per kilogramme in the Western Cape. The DMRE said the adjustments were influenced by international petroleum product prices and movements in the rand-dollar exchange rate. The changes mean petrol motorists will get some relief, while diesel users face a significant increase from Wednesday.