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Diesel and petrol prices set to fall on Wednesday

Published

White fuel storage tanks at a terminal under a pale sky, seen from across flat ground.

Estimates based on Central Energy Fund data put the diesel cut at R1.58 to R1.68 per litre and the 95-octane petrol cut at around 49c per litre. Possible increases in the slate levy could reduce the relief.

The cuts follow temporary fuel levy relief announced last week: R3 a litre on diesel and R1.50 a litre on petrol. Without that relief, wholesale diesel would rise by an estimated R1.32 to R1.42 per litre. Petrol would rise by more than a rand per litre.

The estimates do not yet include a possible rise in the slate levy, which is now 87.66c per litre. The Slate Fund refunds fuel importers and had a negative balance of R10.5 billion at the end of August. Reports said the levy may need to rise for another month, which would cut into the relief.

Oil prices and the rand also weigh on the outlook. Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe will announce the final adjustments.

Fuel prices have risen sharply since December 2025: around R8 a litre for 95-octane petrol and more than R12 per litre for diesel. Petrol reached a record R30.25 per litre in Gauteng and R29.38 at the coast.

Key facts

Who
Gwede Mantashe (Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources, who will announce the final fuel…); Central Energy Fund (source of the price estimate data); Slate Fund (fund that refunds fuel importers and has a large negative balance)
What
Based on Central Energy Fund data, the article estimates diesel could be cut by R1.58 to R1.68 per litre and 95-octane petrol by around 49c per litre on Wednesday, after R3 and R1.50 per litre fuel levy relief. These estimates do not yet reflect possible slate levy increases, which could reduce the relief.
When
30 October 2026
Where
South Africa
Status
Reported

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