Official fuel prices for June: Here's how much you'll pay for petrol and diesel from Wednesday
Minor fuel price reductions will take effect from Wednesday, June 4.
Image: David Ritchie / Independent Media
Thanks to a stronger rand, South African motorists won't feel the pinch of the first fuel tax increase in three years, which takes effect from Wednesday, June 4.
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has announced South Africa's official fuel price adjustments for June, with both grades of petrol seeing a minor decrease of five cents per litre, while diesel prices are set to fall by 37 cents.
Following the price adjustment, 93 Unleaded petrol will cost R21.24 per litre in Gauteng, with 95 ULP retailing at R21.35 inland and R20.55 at the coast.
In his third Budget Speech, held on 21 May, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana increased the General Fuel Levy by 16 cents in the case of petrol and 15 cents for diesel. Were it not for this, petrol prices would have decreased by 21 cents and diesel by 52 cents.
These measures were aimed at financing the budget shortfall that resulted after the previously announced Value Added Tax (VAT) increase was cancelled, following considerable political pressure.
The 2025 levy increase will see the total tax on petrol rising to R6.37, including the R2.18 Road Accident Fund levy.
Last week the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) launched an urgent court application to suspend the fuel levy increase. This was heard in Western Cape High Court on Tuesday afternoon, but the outcome was not known at the time of writing.
Strong rand wards off petrol increase
A stronger rand was the driving force behind strong over-recoveries for both petrol and diesel. According to the DMRE, the average value of the local currency increased from R18.84 to the US dollar to R18.11 during the review period that determined June's final fuel prices.
During this period the average Brent Crude oil price decreased from US $66.40 per barrel to $63.95. However, international petroleum prices increased marginally.
International oil prices are currently at a three-year low. Should prices strengthen in the coming months, South Africans will start feeling the pinch of the fuel levy increase, and the heavy tax burden that fuel currently carries.
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