Diesel users to pay more while petrol users will pay slightly less from midnight

The minister of mineral and energy resources (DMRE), Gwede Mantashe, announced a 12c/litre decrease of both grades of petrol, but increases of between 92c/l and 98c/l for diesel inland, increases of between 88c/l and 94c/l for diesel at the coast and increases of between 79c/l and 82c/l for illuminating paraffin.

The adjustments come into effect at midnight tonight, Wednesday May 4.

According to the DMRE, the average international product prices of petrol decreased while those of diesel and illuminating paraffin increased, resulting in the sharp increases locally.

The department notes that these prices climbed “… because there is still a shortage of diesel supply which is due to lower exports from Russia as a major exporter of distillate fuel, low inventories globally, as well as higher demand for distillates”.

“The decreases to the petrol prices are welcome; they will offer some relief in the short term. Of concern are the high increases of the prices of diesel and illuminating paraffin which will put extra financial pressure on millions of South Africans already struggling to make ends meet.

“The price of illuminating paraffin is particularly worrying as this fuel is used for cooking, heating and lighting and comes as South Africa enters winter,” the AA notes.

The adjustments mean 95 ULP in Gauteng and the cost will be marginally cheaper in May than in April, but still high at R21.84/l in Gauteng and R21.09/l at the coast.

“The cost of diesel is now in record territory, which will impact the economy as this is a major input cost in the manufacturing, road freight, agricultural and mining sectors and increases to these will be passed on to consumers.

“Government provided short-term relief through reducing the GFL, but this relief ends at the end of May going into June. If the GFL returns to its set rate, this will add another R1.50/l to petrol and diesel and will certainly push the prices of these fuels much higher. The question now is how government plans to deal with the fuel price going forward, and how, ultimately, this will result in sustainable relief for South African consumers,” the AA concludes.

Source: AA