Here’s the great petrol price news for December 2026

South Africa’s motorists could receive some welcome petrol price relief at the pumps in early December 2026.

However, diesel motorists may face higher prices as the National Treasury reduces its temporary fuel levy relief.

The latest Central Energy Fund (CEF) data, dated 9 November, shows a significant over-recovery for both grades of petrol, suggesting that substantial price cuts are building for December.

Petrol 93 is currently showing an over-recovery of R2.44 per litre, while petrol 95 has an over-recovery of R2.73.

Diesel has also moved into over-recovery territory after starting the month in the red. However, the current figures are not enough to offset the impact of the reduction in Treasury’s relief measures.

December fuel price projections

Based on the latest CEF figures, the indicative price movements are:

• Petrol 93: decrease of R2.44 per litre
• Petrol 95: decrease of R2.73 per litre
• Diesel 0.05% (wholesale): decrease of 49 cents per litre
• Diesel 0.005% (wholesale): decrease of 85 cents per litre
• Illuminating paraffin: decrease of R1.11 per litre

These figures do not yet reflect the full impact of the changes to the temporary fuel levy relief.

Treasury relief reduction will affect fuel prices

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a R10 billion fuel price relief package in October.

The intervention reduced the fuel levy by R1.50 per litre for petrol and R3 per litre for diesel in November.

In December, the relief will be reduced to R1 per litre for petrol and R1.50 per litre for diesel.

This effectively adds 50 cents per litre back to petrol prices and R1.50 per litre to diesel.

Consequently, petrol motorists could still benefit from sizeable reductions, but diesel prices are projected to increase.

What could motorists pay in December?

Using November’s inland fuel prices, the latest CEF recoveries and the expected changes to Treasury’s relief, the following indicative prices have been calculated:

Fuel	November price	December projection
Petrol 93	R29.87	R27.93
Petrol 95	R30.24	R28.01
Diesel 0.05%	R30.85	R31.86
Diesel 0.005%	R31.60	R32.25

The projections exclude the slate levy and other monthly adjustments, which could affect the final prices.

Stronger rand and lower oil prices offer hope

The outlook has improved following movements in global oil markets and a stronger rand.

International oil prices have fallen well below $100 a barrel, while the rand has strengthened to around R16.40 against the US dollar.

If these trends continue during the remainder of November, they could provide further support for motorists.

However, the latest figures remain early projections rather than confirmed price changes.

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources will announce the official December fuel price adjustments towards the end of November, with the new prices expected to take effect on Wednesday, 2 December.

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 $90.40 a barrel.

Exchange rate

At the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R16.37/$.