South Africa: Another Fuel Hike On the Cards for Mzansi Drivers in October

What the report says

South African motorists are being warned to expect another fuel price increase in October, according to a Scrolla report distributed by AllAfrica. The article says early September 2026 data points to a large “under recovery,” meaning local pump prices are trailing the cost of importing fuel. It identifies Petrol 95 as facing an expected rise of about 200 cents per litre, while Petrol 93 is also under pressure. Diesel and illuminating paraffin are likewise projected to become more expensive.

The report attributes the outlook mainly to higher global oil prices, which have added strongly to the landed cost of petrol and diesel. It says the smaller gap in the final price is being cushioned by a slightly stronger rand, which has offset only a limited part of the increase. The article also notes that the shortfall worsened over the course of early September, suggesting the situation was moving in a more expensive direction for consumers.

For context, the story links the expected October adjustment to South Africa’s weekly fuel price-setting process, which responds to international product prices and exchange-rate movements. It cites Gauteng pump prices and wholesale diesel levels as of early September to show that current retail prices are already below replacement costs. If the projections hold, the higher prices would affect both private drivers and businesses that rely on diesel, with knock-on implications for transport and goods costs.