Petrol crosses R30 a litre for the first time on Wednesday. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has confirmed increases of more than R3 a litre for both petrol grades and for low-sulphur diesel, effective from 00:01 on Wednesday, 7 October 2026.
| Fuel | Increase | Inland | Coastal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol 95 | R3.33 a litre | R30.25 | R29.38 |
| Petrol 93 | R3.12 a litre | R29.88 | R29.09 |
| Diesel 0.005% | R3.24 a litre | R33.29 | R32.03 |
| Diesel 0.05% | R2.84 a litre | R31.95 | R31.08 |
| Illuminating paraffin | R3.58 a litre | R24.47 | R23.41 |
| LP gas | 42c a kilogram | R37.81/kg | R37.08/kg |
Both headline fuels set records. Petrol 95’s previous high was R28.06 in June. Diesel 0.005% peaked at R31.88 wholesale in May.
Only inland 95 crosses R30. Inland 93 stops 12 cents short, and coastal 95 sits at R29.38.
The diesel figures are regulated wholesale prices. Forecourts set their own margin above them, so the diesel price at the pump will vary by station.
Paraffin carries the biggest increase
Illuminating paraffin rises R3.58 a litre, more than any of the five liquid fuels and 25 cents more than petrol 95. Paraffin is a cooking, heating and lighting fuel for households without electricity or unable to afford it. It is not a motoring fuel. The largest increase this month lands on a fuel bought for homes, not cars.
Cost is one side of the coin. The other side of the coin is income (salaries etc). To carry out a balanced comparative study between Zambia and South Africa, both sides of the coin must be analysed. My personal view only.