October's official petrol prices are here – bringing relief for diesel drivers

Buckle up because the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has finally published October’s official petrol price adjustments – offering small fuel price relief to most of South Africa’s motorists from tomorrow, 1 October. Diesel drivers will be especially glad of the price decrease, following a major price decrease earlier this month.

Diesel price wins this October

Certain motorists who rely on petrol won’t be so lucky come October. Those who stick with 93 Petrol will be glad of the admittedly minor price decrease tomorrow, while those who purchase the higher-grade 95 Petrol will be forced to contend with a small increase. That means you’ll want to head to the nearest station while you still can.

The change shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone who’s kept up with Stuff. The Central Energy Fund (CEF) recently reported on mightily similar fuel price adjustments, giving South African motorists plenty of time to plan out their fuel spend ahead of the DMRE’s official announcement.

The CEF, like the DMRE, tracks the economic factors that regularly influence the price of fuel locally. The average Rand/US Dollar exchange rate over the previous month, as well as the average price of oil products internationally, are mostly responsible for the DMRE’s decision to adjust fuel prices every month. Fortunately, with a stable Rand and diesel shortages slowly returning to normal throughout September, we have cheaper prices to look forward to.

“The average Rand/US Dollar exchange rate for the period 29 August 2025 to 25 September 2025 was 17.4855 compared to 17.7339 during the previous period. This led to a higher contribution to the Basic Fuel Prices on petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin by 14.265 c/l, 15.334 c/l, 14.790 c/l, respectively.”

The one aspect the DRME can control is the Self-Adjusting Slate Levy Mechanism, which will remain at R0.00c/l throughout October.