Here is the official petrol price for September 2026
South Africa’s motorists are in for another painful trip to the pumps, with petrol and diesel prices set to increase sharply from Wednesday, 2 September 2026.
Both grades of petrol will increase by R1.34 per litre, while diesel faces an even bigger hit, with the wholesale price of 0.05% sulphur diesel rising by R2.94 per litre and 0.005% sulphur diesel increasing by R3.15 per litre.
The latest increases have been confirmed by the Central Energy Fund (CEF) and the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
The increases represent a significant reversal for petrol motorists after both grades were cut by 52 cents per litre in August.
The new diesel prices will also push the wholesale cost of 0.005% sulphur diesel above the R30-a-litre mark in Gauteng.
| FUEL | PRICE CHANGE |
| Petrol 93 | increase of 134 cents |
| Petrol 95 | increase of 134 cents |
| Diesel 0.05% | increase of 293 cents |
| Diesel 0.005% | increase of 314 cents |
| Illuminating Paraffin | increase of 213 cents |
Why are fuel prices increasing?
The latest adjustment follows a sharp deterioration in international petroleum product prices during the review period.
According to the CEF statement, international product prices increased substantially for petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin between 31 July and 27 August.
The stronger rand provided some relief.
The average rand/US dollar exchange rate improved from R16.4554 to R16.2139, reducing the contribution of the exchange rate to the Basic Fuel Price.
However, the currency’s gains were not enough to offset the surge in international product prices.
Massive slate levy adds to the pain
Another major contributor is the slate levy.
The combined cumulative petrol and diesel slate balance stood at a negative R9.519 billion at the end of July.
As a result, the slate levy rises from 61.38 cents to 83.28 cents per litre from Wednesday.
The mechanism is used to manage accumulated under-recoveries when the money collected through fuel prices does not cover the costs reflected in the Basic Fuel Price.
The September adjustment includes a 21.90-cent-per-litre increase in the slate levy for both petrol and diesel.
Petrol margin also increases
Petrol motorists will also absorb a 4.9-cent-per-litre increase in the retail margin.
The Department said the adjustment is necessary to accommodate wage increases for pump attendants, cashiers and administrative staff at service stations.
After taking all the various components into account, the official adjustment is R1.34 per litre for both petrol grades.
Diesel takes the biggest hit
Diesel users face the most severe increase.
The wholesale price of 0.05% sulphur diesel rises by R2.939 per litre, while 0.005% sulphur diesel increases by R3.149 per litre.
The sharp rise is likely to put additional pressure on motorists who drive diesel vehicles, as well as businesses and industries that rely heavily on diesel-powered transport and equipment.
The increase comes after diesel prices already climbed sharply during the first half of 2026.
Paraffin and LPGas also increase
The fuel-price pain extends beyond petrol and diesel.
The wholesale price of illuminating paraffin increases by R2.13 per litre, while the Single Maximum National Retail Price increases by R2.84 per litre.
The maximum retail price of LPGas also increases by 69 cents per kilogram.
The changes take effect from Wednesday, 2 September, and will remain in place until the next monthly adjustment.
For South African households and businesses already dealing with higher transport and operating costs, the latest fuel shock is likely to feed into wider living and logistics costs.
After a brief reprieve for petrol motorists in August, September is set to bring a painful reminder of just how volatile fuel prices remain in 2026.
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 $90.87 a barrel.
Exchange rate
At the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R16.13/$.
New September 2026 petrol and diesel prices (Inland and Coastal):
| INLAND | August | September |
| Petrol 93 | R25.42 | R26.76 |
| Petrol 95 | R25.58 | R26.92 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R26.16 | R29.09 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R26.90 | R30.04 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R18.76 | R20.89 |
| COASTAL | August | September |
| Petrol 93 | R24.63 | R25.97 |
| Petrol 95 | R24.71 | R26.05 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R25.29 | R28.22 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R25.64 | R28.78 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R17.71 | R19.84 |
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