The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has corrected an error in its May 2026 fuel price calculations, providing unexpected relief to diesel users.
Following a revised announcement by the Central Energy Fund, the wholesale diesel price increase has been adjusted down to R5.27 per litre, from the previously announced R6.19 per litre.
The correction aligns with the 93 cents per litre fuel levy relief for diesel that had been announced by government but was not properly applied in the initial calculation.
Despite the unexpected relief, it remains a good idea to fill up your tank before midnight on Tuesday, 5 May.
Petrol unchanged
Petrol prices remain unaffected by the revision, as no additional levy relief was introduced for that fuel type. The previously announced increase for petrol therefore stands.
While the adjustment offers short-term relief for diesel users, authorities have cautioned that the benefit is temporary.
Government has confirmed that the tax relief will be phased out over the coming months:
- June: Petrol +R1.50/litre, Diesel +R1.97/litre
- July: Petrol +R1.50/litre, Diesel +R1.96/litre
Once fully reversed, the relief measures will be completely removed from the fuel price structure.
Impact on motorists
Although the correction will ease immediate pressure at the pumps, particularly for diesel users, motorists can expect fuel costs to rise again in the coming months as the temporary relief is gradually withdrawn.
The revision highlights the complexity of fuel pricing in South Africa – and how even small calculation errors can have a noticeable impact on consumers.
READ | Here are the latest TAXI fare increases for May 2026
| FUEL | PRICE CHANGE |
| Petrol 93 | increase of 327 cents |
| Petrol 95 | increase of 327 cents |
| Diesel 0.05% | increase of 527 cents |
| Diesel 0.005% | increase of 527 cents |
| Illuminating Paraffin | increase of 422 cents |
FUEL PRICE IN SOUTH AFRICA IMPACTED BY TWO MAIN FACTORS:
1. The international price of petroleum products, driven mainly by oil prices
2. The rand/dollar exchange rate used in the purchase of these products
Oil price
At the time of publishing the brent crude oil price is $111.43 a barrel.
Exchange rate
At the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R16.65/$.
Corrected May 2026 petrol and diesel prices (Inland and Coastal):
| INLAND | April | May |
| Petrol 93 | R23.25 | R26.52 |
| Petrol 95 | R23.36 | R26.63 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R25.90 | R31.17 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R26.11 | R31.37 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R24.21 | R28.43 |
| COASTAL | April | May |
| Petrol 93 | R22.46 | R25.73 |
| Petrol 95 | R22.53 | R25.80 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R25.07 | R30.34 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R25.35 | R30.62 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R23.16 | R27.38 |
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