The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has published August’s official petrol and diesel price changes and it doesn’t look good. For anybody. Fortunately, the Department published the incoming changes a day early, giving everyone that needs it enough time to prepare.

What we’re saying is, head to the nearest station as soon as possible… after you’ve finished reading this article, of course. Because those changes – which spell an increase for petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin – are coming into effect at midnight, on Wednesday, 02 August 2023.

If you’re looking for someone to blame for the increase across the board, it won’t be the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. The Department decides the month’s fuel prices based on factors like the average price of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin overseas, and the Rand/Dollar exchange used to buy it. When in doubt, blame Eskom.

Wake us up when September’s here

From 00:01 on the morning of Wednesday, 2 August, petroleum-based fuels will see the following increases:

Petrol 93: increase of 37 cents per litre (R0.37)
Petrol 95: increase of 37 cents per litre (R0.37)
Diesel 0.05%: increase of 72 cents per litre (R0.72)
Diesel 0.005%: increase of 71 cents per litre (R0.71)
Illuminating Paraffin: increase of 71 cents per litre (R0.71)

See? We told you it wasn’t pretty. We’re hoping September’s numbers will look a little better. Okay, we’re done, time to head to the pumps. Unless someone else pays for your fuel. Then you probably aren’t too worried.