Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources Schedules Fuel Adjustments for November 2026
Motorists across South Africa face vastly different outcomes at the pumps this week, as a temporary government relief package collides with surging international oil costs and a weaker rand. The official adjustments published by the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources take effect on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. While petrol prices drop by a minuscule 1 cent per litre, diesel drivers enjoy relief ranging between R1.10 and R1.20 per litre at the wholesale level.
The adjustments stem from a strained month of fuel recoveries through October, driven by climbing global Brent Crude oil prices and a depreciating currency. Motorists will save only 45 cents on a 45-litre tank if they fill up on Wednesday rather than Tuesday. Diesel with 0.05% sulphur drops to an inland wholesale price of R30.85 per litre, while 0.005% sulphur diesel falls to R31.60 per litre. At the coast, wholesale prices land at R29.98 and R30.83 per litre respectively.
National Treasury Intervenes With R10 Billion Relief Package
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced a temporary R10 billion relief package during his medium-term budget policy statement on October 21. This intervention cuts the general fuel levy for the second time this year, reducing it by R1.50 per litre for petrol and R3.00 per litre for diesel from 4 November. This measure lowers the general fuel levy to 279.0 cents per litre for petrol and 116.00 cents per litre for diesel.
However, the financial benefit of the Treasury relief has been largely neutralized for petrol users. A massive increase in the slate levy cancels out the government subsidy on petrol. Godongwana’s relief package is also short-lived; the subsidy will be scaled back in December to R1.50 a litre for diesel and R1.00 a litre for petrol, before falling away entirely in January 2027.
Crude oil prices rise due to infrastructure attacks
International market pressures drove up the basic fuel prices significantly during the review period spanning October 2 to 29. Average Brent Crude oil increased from 101 US dollars to 108 US dollars per barrel. This hike is attributed to attacks on Saudi Arabia infrastructure and high freight and insurance costs resulting from ship-to-ship transfers.
Simultaneously, the cumulative slate fund amounted to a negative balance of R15.876 billion at the end of September 2026. This deficit necessitated a 48.18 cent per litre increase in the slate levy, bringing it to 135.84 cents per litre. The rand depreciated against the US dollar, moving from an average of 16.21 to 16.55 rand per dollar, adding upward pressure to basic fuel prices.
Regulated fuels register substantial retail price increases
While petrol and diesel experienced conflicting market forces, other regulated fuels registered substantial increases. The maximum retail price of liquefied petroleum gas increases by R1.83 per kilogram, pushing the inland price to R39.64 per kilogram and the coastal price to R36.39 per kilogram. There is an increase of 2.08 rand per kilogram in the Western Cape, while wholesale illuminating paraffin increased by R2.75 per litre.
Inland prices for 93 and 95 octane petrol settle at R29.87 and R30.24 per litre respectively. At coastal stations, 93 octane decreases to R29.08 per litre and 95 octane drops to R29.37 per litre.
Frequently Asked Questions About the November Fuel Adjustments
Why did petrol decrease by only 1 cent despite a R1.50 levy cut?
A 48.18 cent increase in the slate levy, combined with higher international product prices and a weaker rand, completely eroded the financial benefit of the government’s R1.50 general fuel levy relief for petrol users.
How much will diesel users save at the pumps?
Wholesale diesel prices fall by R1.10 per litre for 0.05% sulphur and R1.20 per litre for 0.005% sulphur, after factoring in both the R3.00 Treasury levy cut and the 48.18 cent slate levy increase.
What caused the negative balance in the Slate Fund?
The cumulative slate amounted to a negative balance of R15.876 billion at the end of September 2026, forcing an increase in the self-adjusting slate levy to cover under-recoveries.
How long will the government’s fuel levy relief last?
The temporary relief package takes effect on 4 November, scales back in December to R1.50 a litre for diesel and R1.00 a litre for petrol, and expires entirely in January 2027.
Worth a look