South Africa’s petrol price will exceed R30 a litre in inland Gauteng from 7 October 2026, as fuel costs rise sharply due to global supply disruptions linked to tensions between the US and Iran, the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources said on 5 October.
Minister Gwede Mantashe announced a fuel price increase of R3.33 per litre for 95 octane petrol, while 93 octane petrol will rise by R3.12 per litre. This adjustment reflects a nearly 12% rise in petrol and a 10% jump in wholesale diesel prices.
In Gauteng, 95 petrol will reach R30.25 a litre, setting a new record high, while coastal regions can expect petrol prices around R29.38 per litre, BusinessDay reported. The Department attributed the increases to the Brent crude oil price jumping from US$87.89 to US$101 during the review period, driven by ongoing US–Iran tensions and uncertainty about oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Based on current local and international factors, the fuel prices for October 2026 will be adjusted as follows: Petrol 95 (ULP & LRP): Three hundred and thirty-three cents per litre increase,” Minister Mantashe said in the government statement.
The Department also cited higher shipping costs and declining crude oil inventories as contributors to the price adjustment.
Reuters highlighted that South Africa imports most of its fuel, making domestic prices sensitive to global crude prices and currency fluctuations. The current geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has intensified volatility in oil markets, pushing prices higher on international benchmarks and translating into increased fuel bills for South African consumers.
Local residents and businesses are likely to feel the impact of these price hikes immediately, especially in inland areas where petrol is now surpassing the R30 mark for the first time. Transport costs will rise accordingly, potentially adding pressure to inflation and everyday expenses.
While reports from Reuters and BusinessDay frame the causes of the surge as linked to an “Iran war,” the official government release describes these as broader “US–Iran tensions” and global factors affecting oil supply and costs.
The next fuel price review will consider ongoing developments in international markets and the rand exchange rate. Cape Flats News will continue to monitor changes and update readers as further information becomes available.