February Petrol Price Hike

Loading player...
Eleanor Mavimbela – AA SPokesperson talks about In the middle of January, South Africans had something to cheer about, despite dealing with load shedding and an interest rate hike, as mid-month data pointed to a decrease in fuel prices.

Things changed quickly towards the end of the month as the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy sent shockwaves across the country.

The increase, which kicked in today, February 1, is a complete reversal of conditions at the start of the year and even the middle of the month, when a petrol and diesel price cut was still on the cards.

Motorists will now have to fork out an additional 28 cents per litre for both 95 and 93 octane petrol, while diesel will be hiked by between less than a cent and around 9c a litre.

The latest price hikes will push the price of petrol in Gauteng to R21.68 a litre, from R20.14 a year ago.

The main driver behind the higher local prices is the rising cost of international petroleum product prices, pushed higher by a stronger global oil price.

The latest fuel price increase, which comes in the wake of a series of steep rate hikes announced by Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago and the unsettling news of a massive 18.65% increase in electricity tariffs that will kick in in April, extinguishes the last flame of hope of a better year for South Africans.

According to the AA, the increase will put an even bigger burden on consumers who are already under strain owing to the rising cost of living in South Africa.
1 Feb 2023 1PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Inside Your Business: Liquidations hit SME sectors the hardest

South Africa’s business landscape remains under strain. New data from Stats SA shows that 135 companies were liquidated in February—a slight improvement from last year, but still a sign of persistent financial pressure across the economy. Aroni Chaudhuri, Chief Economist at Coface Africa, helps explain what these numbers mean for…
1 Apr 4PM 9 min

SARS delivers record-breaking revenue collection

The Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service (SARS), Edward Kieswetter, today tabled the strongest annual revenue collection numbers in democratic history. He joins us to reflect on the numbers and his tenure at SARS as he steps down from the role.
1 Apr 4PM 15 min

SA's New vehicle sales sure in March

South Africa's new vehicle market extended gains in March 2026, growing by 17.3 percent from a year ago. Dr. Paulina Mamogobo, Naamsa Chief Economist, joins us to unpack fresh numbers out today.
1 Apr 4PM 14 min