Motorists are paying R9.49 per litre more for petrol than they were at the start of the year due to the war in Iran and its impact on global oil prices.
In January 2026, South Africans were paying R20.75 per litre for petrol 95, which was actually a four-year low for prices, following several cuts.
Petrol prices fell even further to R20.10 per litre in February after a 65c reduction; however, this trend was shattered in late February when the United States and Israel launched military strikes against Iran.
Iran subsequently closed the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping lane to the Persian Gulf where 20% of the world’s daily oil supply normally passes through.
The conflict had an immediate and dramatic effect on global oil prices, with Brent Crude surging from $67 to $100 per barrel between February and March.
Prices have continued to fluctuate throughout the year as the war has moved between periods of intense fighting, followed by peace talks, a breakdown in negotiations, and renewed military strikes.
The conflict has been exacerbated by activity from Houthi rebels, based in Yemen, attacking ships in the Red Sea and destroying Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure.
While South Africa does not import oil directly from the Middle East, it is still subject to fluctuations in global prices.
This has become a much bigger issue over the last seven years, as most of South Africa’s refineries have shut down, meaning the country has become more reliant on imported refined petroleum products.
The Basic Fuel Price (BFP) that motorists pay at the pump is primarily determined by two factors: movements in the international oil price and the US dollar exchange rate.
Higher oil prices and a weaker exchange rate result in an under-recovery in the BFP, which translates to price hikes for petrol and diesel.
With all that in mind, these were the official fuel price adjustments over the last 10 months:
- February – 65c per litre decrease
- March – 20c per litre increase
- April – 306c per litre increase
- May – 327c per litre increase
- June – 146c per litre increase
- July – 196c per litre decrease
- August – 52c per litre decrease
- September – 134c per litre increase
- October – 333c per litre increase
- November – 1c per litre decrease
The paltry 1c per litre decrease in November is actually the result of the government re-introducing its fuel price relief measure.
Earlier this year, the National Treasury reduced the General Fuel Levy (GFL) by R3 per litre to offset the massive price increases caused by the war in Iran.
This support ended in July; however, the government re-implemented a GFL cut to prevent further price increases, slashing the GFL on petrol by R1.50 per litre.
Petrol was supposed to go up by roughly R1.49 per litre in November, which became a 1c per litre reduction after the tax cut was factored in.
While a 1c per litre cut is laughable at first glance, it bears repeating that petrol was actually supposed to go up before the fuel tax was cut.
Unfortunately, the GFL relief measure is being reduced to R1.00 per litre in December, meaning 50c is being added back to the retail price.
The following table shows the cost difference between filling different tank sizes in January compared to November:
| Tank size | Cost to refill in January 2026 (R20.75/l) | Cost to refill in November 2026 (R30.24/l) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 litres | R622.50 | R907.20 | +R284.70 |
| 40 litres | R830.00 | R1,209.60 | +R379.60 |
| 50 litres | R1,037.50 | R1,512.00 | +R474.50 |
| 60 litres | R1,245.00 | R1,814.40 | +R569.40 |
| 70 litres | R1,452.50 | R2,116.80 | +R664.30 |
| 80 litres | R1,660.00 | R2,419.20 | +R759.20 |
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Conversation
2 commentsWHY EVERYTHING , 1C 5C 49C 99C! you do not get annoy send the streets by Malls
SUPERMARKET , this 10C why you play with us, start to do a commonsense no sent,
people want that, when they get change , the do not bored what it is nothing that
you can do with this . why do you not Work on the right amount,like one R9.99 Fooling must be R10.00 NOT THIS 99C THINK nothing help petrol came down 1C,
The world be leading with nonsense , if they have to give you refund, it is with the child gave to them sweet`s, it is disgusting that is what these Cafe`s are doing.
This thing every one go true this, it is for many decades , still the same.