There’s two things South Africans hate more than anything else: Eskom’s haphazard loadshedding schedule and sudden spikes in petrol prices. While we’re pleased to say that power cuts don’t seem to be a problem for now, car juice will be taking a big old leap into the sky. According to a statement released to the media by SA’s government, petrol and diesel prices will be increasing tomorrow, 3 March, by a rather substantial amount. Best stop by the local Shell or BP on the way home if you want to enjoy the current price for a day longer!
According to the press release, both leaded and unleaded petrol will be jumping by 65c per litre while diesel with 0.05% sulphur will be increasing by 54c per litre and diesel with 0.005% sulphur will cost 56c per litre more started tomorrow. Maybe it’s time to think about those electric cars you definitely can’t afford yet…
Petrol bombing
According to the government’s statement, the price is increasing because “[t]he average international product prices for Petrol, Diesel and Illuminating Paraffin increased during the period under review.
The Rand appreciated against the US Dollar during the period under review, on average, when compared to the previous period… This led to a lower contribution to the Basic Fuel Prices on petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin.”
So the price is going up because the rand is actually doing a little better than last year, which is technically rather good. No one likes having to pay more for liquified dinosaurs but you gotta take the little victories where you can get them, right?