Here’s the great petrol price news this festive season

South Africa’s motorists could be in line for substantial petrol price cuts in December, with the latest fuel price figures pointing to potential savings of more than R2.70 per litre.

The latest Central Energy Fund (CEF) data, dated 12 November 2026, shows a significant over-recovery for both grades of petrol, raising hopes of welcome relief at the pumps ahead of the festive season.

Petrol 93 is currently showing an over-recovery of R2.97 per litre, while petrol 95 has an even larger over-recovery of R3.23 per litre.

However, changes to government’s temporary fuel levy relief mean diesel motorists could face price increases instead.

December fuel price outlook

Based on the latest CEF figures, the indicative fuel price movements before accounting for changes to the temporary fuel levy relief are:

Fuel type	Current over-recovery
Petrol 93	297 cents/litre
Petrol 95	323 cents/litre
Diesel 0.05%	109 cents/litre
Diesel 0.005%	147 cents/litre
Illuminating paraffin	193 cents/litre

Treasury fuel relief will change the December picture

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a R10 billion fuel price relief package in October to cushion consumers against rising fuel costs.

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

However, the temporary relief will be scaled back in December.

The petrol levy reduction will fall from R1.50 to R1 per litre, while the diesel reduction will decrease from R3 to R1.50 per litre.

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

After accounting for these changes, the current projections suggest:

• Petrol 93: decrease of approximately R2.47 per litre
• Petrol 95: decrease of approximately R2.73 per litre
• Diesel 0.05%: increase of approximately 41 cents per litre
• Diesel 0.005%: increase of approximately 3 cents per litre

When will the December fuel price changes take effect?

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources is expected to announce the official December fuel price adjustments towards the end of November.

The new prices are expected to take effect from Wednesday, 2 December.

Until then, movements in international oil prices, the rand-dollar exchange rate and other fuel price factors could influence the final adjustments.

For now, petrol motorists have reason to be optimistic, with the latest figures pointing to potentially significant savings at the pumps.

Diesel users, however, may face a more expensive 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 $96.43 a barrel.

Exchange rate

At the time of publishing the rand/dollar exchange rate is R16.94/$.