Motorists paying R6 per litre more for petrol, and roads so bad taxis refuse to use them

E-hailing operations in Mahikeng in the North West have been suspended after police impounded operators’ vehicles in a crackdown on illegal operations.

This comes as part of the implementation of new regulations meant to improve the quality and safety of these services in South Africa.

Authorities impounded the vehicles last Thursday because the drivers lacked the required operating permits.

More than 35 cars have been taken in, including sedans, seven-seaters, and minibus taxis, according to SABC News.

Some of the drivers claimed that, since their cars were impounded, their livelihoods have been put at risk because they cannot afford the R6,000 impoundment fee.

As a result, drivers have blockaded the entrance to the local traffic department, demanding the release of their cars.

Brent crude oil prices have crept back over $100 per barrel for the first time since July, with Iran signalling it has no intention of backing down in the face of an American naval blockade.

According to a senior official from the Islamic Republic, Iran will also escalate its strikes if the US continues attacking its territory.

US President Donald Trump reportedly said the war would only end after the November midterm elections and that significant oil price relief would not come before then.

The result is significantly lower oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, which carried roughly a fifth of global oil and gas supplies before the war started.

Pressure is mounting on alternative channels for oil exports, with Iran-aligned Houthi militants stepping up strikes against Saudi Arabia and threatening crude shipments via the Red Sea.

The bad news compounded for South African motorists, as the US dollar strengthened, meaning the South African rand is back to trading at more than R16 against the greenback.

5 important things

R6.17 per litre petrol price pain for South Africa: Motorists are paying R6.17 per litre more for petrol than they were at the start of the year due to the massive price increases brought on by the war in Iran. At the start of 2026, car owners were paying R20.75 for petrol 95 at inland rates, which was the lowest price recorded since 2022. Since then, oil prices have fluctuated as the war has progressed, reaching a peak of $114 per barrel in May [TopAuto].

Roads in one area in South Africa are so bad that taxis refuse to operate there: The gravel road infrastructure in Thaba Nchu has collapsed following heavy rains, which means that taxis refuse to operate and learners cannot get to school. Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality Councillor Tumelo Rammile called on the municipal manager to act. He said that taxis refuse to operate, learners cannot get to school, and emergency vehicles cannot reach homes [Newsday].

More than 4,000 motorists fined in Gauteng road safety blitz: Gauteng traffic authorities issued more than 4,000 fines for offences during a week-long road safety blitz. Law enforcement agencies conducted high-visibility operations across the province as part of the provincial government’s efforts to improve road safety and combat crime [BusinessDay].

Aston Martin builds its first road-legal superbike: Aston Martin and Brough Superior partnered to create the AMB 002, the first road-legal motorcycle to carry the Aston Martin standard. The new superbike follows a similar partnership between the two brands that resulted in the track-only AMB 001 and AMB 001 Pro. Production of the AMB 002 will be limited to just 300 units globally, with the first deliveries scheduled for late 2027 [Car and Driver].

VW CEO’s streamlining push faces threat from German government: VW faces opposition to spinning off three key businesses, including its namesake brand, highlighting the limits confronting CEO Oliver Blume as he tries to reshape Europe’s biggest automaker. Lower Saxony Premier Olaf Lies signalled that the state would block any attempt by VW to separate those divisions [Bloomberg].