Motorists are getting a rare New Year’s gift at the pumps, with petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin prices set to drop from Wednesday, 7 January 2026. The price relief was confirmed on Sunday by Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe, giving South Africans a small but welcome break after months of fuel-price anxiety. Fuel prices in South Africa are adjusted monthly, based on a mix of international oil markets and local economic factors — and this time, the numbers landed in motorists’ favour.
From Wednesday, drivers can expect the following changes: According to the department, the main drivers behind the decrease include: South Africa imports both crude oil and refined fuel products, meaning that global oil markets and even shipping costshave a direct impact on what drivers pay locally. The average Brent crude oil price fell from $63.55 to $61.47 during the review period. “This was mainly due to an oversupply of oil in the market, driven by increased production by OPEC+ and non-OPEC producers,” the department said.
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