Fuel prices to rise again: Petrol and diesel increases on the cards for March

FollowingFebruary’s significant fuel price decreases, petrol and diesel prices are set to rise once again in March. Late-month data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) is pointing towards a petrol price increase in the region of 18 cents, while diesel is looking set to rise by between 60 cents in the case of 500ppm and 62 cents for 50ppm. Keep in mind that these predictions are based on unaudited data, and the final price adjustments, which will be announced by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources early next week, could differ.

95 Unleaded petrol currently costs R19.27 at the coast and R20.10 in Gauteng, where the cheaper 93 Unleaded retails for R19.99. The projected price increases come as a result of higher international product prices during February. Thankfully, a stronger South African rand has shielded the increases, which would otherwise have been in the region of 35 cents for petrol and 80 cents for diesel.

April is set to see further increases, given that the2026 Budget Speech, delivered by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on Wednesday, signalled increases to the General Fuel Levy (GFL) as well as the Road Accident Fund Levy (RAF). To that end, GFL will increase by 9 cents per litre for petrol and 8 c/l for diesel, while the carbon fuel levy goes up by 5 cents and 6 cents respectively, and the RAF sees a hike of 7 cents. All together, motorists are looking at a 21-cent increase for both fuel types.