South Africans face another devastating blow to their finances as fuel prices surged by as much as R3.15 per litre, prompting urgent calls for government intervention.
The Public Servants Association (PSA) has demanded immediate relief measures after petrol increased by R1.34 per litre and diesel by between R2.94 and R3.15 per litre from today.
Diesel users hit hard
The latest hike means 95 unleaded petrol inland now costs R26.92 per litre, compared to R20.38 in January this year. Diesel has jumped even more dramatically, with the 0.005% sulphur grade inland now sitting at R30.05 per litre, up from R17.95 in January – an increase of more than R12 in just eight months.
Coastal areas fare marginally better, with 95 unleaded at R26.05 per litre and diesel at R28.79 per litre for the lower sulphur variant.
Reuben Maleka, speaking for the PSA, said public servants were being forced to absorb escalating costs whilst salaries failed to keep pace with inflation.
“Government cannot continue to expect public servants to carry this burden alone,” he said.
The union warned that fuel increases had a multiplier effect, driving up transport, food and household costs across the board. Workers in rural and poorly serviced areas, who rely on private vehicles to reach their workplaces, would be hit hardest.
International oil prices and levies drive September surge
The September price surge was driven primarily by rising international petroleum product costs, which accounted for approximately 80% of the petrol increase and 93% of the diesel hike. Ongoing Middle East conflict and shipping uncertainties have contributed to volatile oil markets.
Government also increased the Slate Levy by 21.90 cents per litre to address accumulated fuel import deficits, whilst a 4.90 cent per litre retail margin adjustment was approved to accommodate wage increases for service station staff. The total levies and taxes on petrol and diesel are now more than R7 per litre.
Union calls for targeted relief measures
The PSA has called for a comprehensive review of fuel pricing and taxation frameworks, suggesting government could provide temporary relief during periods of extraordinary price volatility.
Proposed measures include reviewing tax treatment of work-related travel, strengthening transport allowances, exploring targeted fuel-relief mechanisms for qualifying public servants, and accelerating affordable public transport solutions.
“This is not a call for unsustainable subsidies or reckless expenditure, but a plea for innovative, targeted and sustainable solutions,” the PSA statement read.
Warning of unsustainable pressure on workers
The union warned that continued financial pressure on public servants could undermine morale, productivity and the state’s ability to attract and retain skilled employees.
Lower and middle-income public servants, who have limited capacity to absorb repeated increases in fuel, electricity, food, housing and education costs, face particular hardship.
The PSA said it would continue engaging government through collective bargaining and policy structures to secure meaningful relief, but stressed that decisive action was needed before the situation became unsustainable.
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