South Africa’s Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources will raise petrol prices by R1.43 (about $0.09) per litre on Wednesday while diesel, illuminating paraffin and liquefied petroleum gas will all decrease following shifts in global oil markets and a stronger rand.
The department said both grades of petrol will rise by the same margin but diesel will drop by R3.24 per litre for 0.05% sulphur and R2.61 for 0.005% sulphur.
Wholesale illuminating paraffin will fall by R5.96, with the maximum retail price decreasing by R7.95. LP gas will decline by R0.17 per kilogramme, and by R0.20 in the Western Cape.
Officials attributed the mixed adjustments to higher Brent crude prices, which climbed from $101 to $104.59 a barrel due to tensions between the United States and Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Middle‑distillate prices, however, fell as seasonal demand eased in the northern hemisphere. Freight costs for propane and butane also declined.
The rand strengthened slightly from R16.65 to R16.52 against the US dollar during the review period, reducing contributions to basic fuel prices by between R0.12 and R0.15 per litre across petrol, diesel and paraffin.
Government will also reduce the general fuel levy by R1.50 per litre for petrol and R1.96 for diesel from Wednesday.
JN/APA