Motorists to pay more at pumps; FOSA calls for relief

March 3, 2026 26

Motorists will pay more at the pumps from Wednesday, 4 March 2026, following the latest fuel price adjustments announced by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR).

The Forum for South Africa (FOSA) has criticised the increases, warning they will place further strain on households already grappling with unemployment, rising food costs and electricity hikes.

The department attributed the price hikes to rising international oil prices, with Brent crude climbing from 64.08 to 69.08 US dollars amid heightened tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran.

Basic fuel prices for petrol, diesel, and illuminating paraffin also increased by 37.53 c/l, 81.36 c/l, and 63.81 c/l respectively.

Based on current local and international factors, the fuel prices for March 2026 will be adjusted as follows:

❖ Petrol 93 (ULP & LRP): twenty cents per litre (20.00 c/l) increase.
❖ Petrol 95 (ULP &LRP): twenty cents per litre (20.00 c/l) increase.
❖ Diesel (0.05% sulphur): sixty-two cents per litre (62.00 c/l) increase.
❖ Diesel (0.005% sulphur): sixty-five cents per litre (65.00 c/l) increase.
❖ Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale): forty-four cents per litre (44.00 c/l) increase.
❖ SMNRP for IP: fifty-eight cents per litre (58.00 c/l) increase.
❖ Maximum Retail Price of LPGas: twenty-three cents per kilogram (23.00 c/kg) increase and twenty-six cents per kilogram (26.00 c/kg) increase in the Western Cape.

As a net importer of crude oil and refined petroleum products, South Africa’s monthly fuel prices are largely determined by global market movements and the rand-dollar exchange rate.

FOSA national leader, Tebogo Mashilompane, described the timing as “disingenuous”, warning that higher fuel prices will drive up transport costs and push up prices across the economy.

Mashilompane urged the government to take swift action to ease the burden on consumers by reassessing fuel levies and implementing relief measures for struggling households.

He also called for sustainable, long-term plans to lessen South Africa’s dependence on unpredictable global oil markets.

𝐅𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭!!!
The @DMPR_ZA has announced adjustments to petroleum products. Listen to the clip for details of these changes. pic.twitter.com/mkZNAzav6J

— Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources ‏ (@DMPR_ZA) March 3, 2026