South Africans woke up to record-high fuel prices on 6 May 2026. A litre of diesel (50ppm) costs R31.38. It’s the first time ever the price has gone over R30. A litre of 95 Octane in Gauteng reached R26.63, its highest price since July 2022.

The fuel prices hit record highs despite the government’s intervention by extending the R3 reduction on the general fuel levy for another month.

Fuel prices have risen due to ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran and the partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which carries around a quarter of global seaborne oil trade, reducing the supply of petroleum products from the Persian Gulf.

South Africa imports its diesel from India, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. When it comes to petrol, South Africa imports it from India, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, according to the 2023 South African Energy Trade Report.