Diesel Price Correction May 2026: Surprise Relief Saves Almost R1.00 – Full Inland & Coastal Prices
Diesel Price Correction May 2026
Surprise good news for diesel users in South Africa. The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has corrected an error in its fuel price calculations for May 2026, saving diesel users almost R1.00 per litre at the pumps from Wednesday.
The Central Energy Fund has reissued the fuel price adjustments for May 2026, correcting an apparent error in its diesel calculations.
With the correction, the wholesale diesel price will increase by R5.27 per litre on Wednesday, down from the R6.19 per litre previously announced.
The changes align with the 93 cents per litre fuel levy relief for diesel announced by the department and the National Treasury for May. The additional diesel relief was not properly implemented in the initial calculation – but has now been corrected.
Because no additional levy relief was provided for petrol, the price adjustment for that fuel type remains unchanged at an increase of R3.27 per litre.
Corrected Fuel Price Adjustments – May 2026
| Fuel Type | Change (May 2026) |
|---|---|
| Petrol 93 | Increase of R3.27 per litre |
| Petrol 95 | Increase of R3.27 per litre |
| Diesel 0.05% (wholesale) | Increase of R5.27 per litre |
| Diesel 0.005% (wholesale) | Increase of R5.27 per litre |
| Illuminating Paraffin (wholesale) | Increase of R4.22 per litre |
| LPGAS (Gauteng) | Increase of R5.07 per kg |
Important: Relief Is Temporary
While the relief will be in full effect in May, motorists have been warned that it is only temporary and will be added back into prices in parts over the next two months.
June 2026 Increases
- Petrol: R1.50 per litre added back
- Diesel: R1.97 per litre added back
July 2026 Increases
- Petrol: R1.50 per litre added back
- Diesel: Remaining R1.96 per litre added back
The fuel relief will terminate in July 2026, with all temporary levy relief fully removed.
New Pump Prices – Inland (Gauteng & Interior)
| Fuel Type | April Official | May Official | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93 Petrol | R23.25 | R26.52 | +R3.27 |
| 95 Petrol | R23.36 | R26.63 | +R3.27 |
| Diesel 0.05% (wholesale) | R25.90 | R31.17 | +R5.27 |
| Diesel 0.005% (wholesale) | R26.11 | R31.88 | +R5.77 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R24.21 | R28.43 | +R4.22 |
| LPGAS (per kg) | R36.05 | R41.12 | +R5.07 |
New Pump Prices – Coastal (Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth)
| Fuel Type | April Official | May Official | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93 Petrol | R22.46 | R25.73 | +R3.27 |
| 95 Petrol | R22.49 | R25.76 | +R3.27 |
| Diesel 0.05% (wholesale) | R25.03 | R30.30 | +R5.27 |
| Diesel 0.005% (wholesale) | R25.35 | R30.62 | +R5.27 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R23.16 | R27.38 | +R4.22 |
| LPGAS (per kg) | R32.80 | R37.87 | +R5.07 |
| LPGAS (Saldanha)* | R35.07 | R40.85 | +R5.78 |
*Saldanha LPGAS price reflects a separate increase of R5.78.
What This Means for South Africans
- Diesel users save almost R1.00 per litre compared to the original announcement
- Petrol prices unchanged from the initial R3.27 increase
- Temporary relief only – prices will rise again in June and July
- Effective from Wednesday, 6 May 2026 (00:01)
Why Did the Correction Happen?
The 93 cents per litre fuel levy relief for diesel announced by the department and the National Treasury was not properly implemented in the initial May 2026 calculation. The Central Energy Fund has since reissued the adjustments to correct the error.
No additional levy relief was provided for petrol, so those prices remain unchanged.
How Long Will the Relief Last?
The relief is temporary. It will be added back in parts over June and July 2026:
- June: Petrol +R1.50 | Diesel +R1.97
- July: Petrol +R1.50 | Diesel +R1.96 (remaining)
The fuel relief will terminate completely in July 2026.
How to Save on Fuel
- Fill up before Wednesday (5 May) to lock in April prices
- Use fuel apps like Fuelio, FindFuel, or Petrol Prices SA to find the cheapest stations
- Drive smoothly – avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking
- Maintain tyre pressure – under-inflated tyres increase consumption
- Carpool or use public transport where possible
Diesel price corrected: Up R5.27 (not R6.19) from 6 May 2026. Inland 95 petrol now R26.63, coastal 95 petrol R25.76. Relief is temporary – prices will rise again in June and July. 🇿🇦
#DieselPriceCorrection #FuelPricesSA #PetrolPriceMay2026 #DieselRelief #InlandFuelPrices #CoastalFuelPrices #CentralEnergyFund
FAQ – May 2026 Fuel Price Correction (South Africa)
1. What is the good news about diesel prices?
The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources corrected an error in its fuel price calculations. Diesel will now increase by R5.27 per litre (wholesale) instead of the originally announced R6.19 per litre – saving diesel users almost R1.00 per litre.
2. Why was the price corrected?
The 93 cents per litre fuel levy relief for diesel – announced by the department and the National Treasury for May – was not properly implemented in the initial calculation. The Central Energy Fund reissued the adjustments to correct the error.
3. Did petrol prices change?
No. Because no additional levy relief was provided for petrol, the price adjustment for that fuel type remains unchanged at an increase of R3.27 per litre.
4. What are the corrected fuel price increases for May 2026?
| Fuel Type | Increase |
|---|---|
| Petrol 93 | R3.27 per litre |
| Petrol 95 | R3.27 per litre |
| Diesel 0.05% (wholesale) | R5.27 per litre |
| Diesel 0.005% (wholesale) | R5.27 per litre |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R4.22 per litre |
| LPGAS (Gauteng) | R5.07 per kg |
5. What are the new pump prices inland (Gauteng & interior)?
| Fuel Type | April Price | May Price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93 Petrol | R23.25 | R26.52 | +R3.27 |
| 95 Petrol | R23.36 | R26.63 | +R3.27 |
| Diesel 0.05% (wholesale) | R25.90 | R31.17 | +R5.27 |
| Diesel 0.005% (wholesale) | R26.11 | R31.88 | +R5.77 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R24.21 | R28.43 | +R4.22 |
| LPGAS (per kg) | R36.05 | R41.12 | +R5.07 |
6. What are the new pump prices coastal (Durban, Cape Town, PE)?
| Fuel Type | April Price | May Price | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 93 Petrol | R22.46 | R25.73 | +R3.27 |
| 95 Petrol | R22.49 | R25.76 | +R3.27 |
| Diesel 0.05% (wholesale) | R25.03 | R30.30 | +R5.27 |
| Diesel 0.005% (wholesale) | R25.35 | R30.62 | +R5.27 |
| Illuminating Paraffin | R23.16 | R27.38 | +R4.22 |
| LPGAS (per kg) | R32.80 | R37.87 | +R5.07 |
| LPGAS (Saldanha)* | R35.07 | R40.85 | +R5.78 |
*Saldanha LPGAS reflects a separate increase of R5.78.
7. When do the new prices take effect?
The new fuel prices take effect from 00:01 on Wednesday, 6 May 2026.
8. Is the diesel relief permanent?
No. The relief is temporary. It will be added back in parts over June and July 2026.
| Month | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| June 2026 | +R1.50 per litre | +R1.97 per litre |
| July 2026 | +R1.50 per litre | +R1.96 per litre (remaining) |
The fuel relief will terminate completely in July 2026.
9. Why is the relief only temporary?
The 93 cents per litre fuel levy relief was introduced as a short-term measure to ease pressure on consumers. The department has confirmed that the relief will be phased out over two months (June and July) and will end completely in July 2026.
10. How much will I save at the pump compared to the original announcement?
| Vehicle | Original Diesel Increase | Corrected Diesel Increase | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50L tank | R309.50 | R263.50 | R46.00 |
| 60L tank | R371.40 | R316.20 | R55.20 |
| 80L tank | R495.20 | R421.60 | R73.60 |
11. Why are coastal prices lower than inland prices?
Coastal prices are lower because transport costs to inland areas (Gauteng, Free State, North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga) add to the final pump price. Coastal refineries and ports have direct access to fuel imports.
12. What is the difference between diesel 0.05% and 0.005%?
| Fuel Type | Sulfur Content | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Diesel 0.05% | 0.05% sulfur (500ppm) | Older vehicles, heavy-duty trucks |
| Diesel 0.005% | 0.005% sulfur (50ppm) | Newer vehicles with advanced emissions systems |
13. Will the price of paraffin increase?
Yes. Illuminating paraffin (wholesale) will increase by R4.22 per litre – affecting households that rely on paraffin for cooking, heating, and lighting.
14. Will LPGAS prices increase?
Yes. LPGAS (cooking gas) will increase by:
- Gauteng: R5.07 per kg
- Coastal: R5.07 per kg
- Saldanha: R5.78 per kg
These increases will affect households using gas for cooking and heating.
15. How can I save on fuel?
| Tip | How It Helps |
|---|---|
| Fill up before Wednesday (5 May) | Lock in April prices before the increase |
| Use fuel apps | Fuelio, FindFuel, or Petrol Prices SA to find cheapest stations |
| Drive smoothly | Avoid rapid acceleration and hard braking |
| Maintain tyre pressure | Under-inflated tyres increase fuel consumption |
| Reduce weight | Remove roof racks and heavy items from your boot |
| Carpool or use public transport | Share rides or use buses, trains, taxis |
16. Where can I find the cheapest fuel in my area?
Use these apps and websites:
- Fuelio – Track fuel prices and consumption
- FindFuel – Locate cheapest stations near you
- Petrol Prices SA – Community-driven price updates
- Google Maps – Search “petrol stations near me” and compare prices
17. Why did the initial announcement have a higher diesel price?
The initial calculation incorrectly excluded the 93 cents per litre fuel levy relief for diesel. The department corrected the error, reducing the increase from R6.19 to R5.27 per litre.
18. Will there be further fuel price changes in June and July?
Yes. The temporary relief will be phased out:
- June: Petrol +R1.50, Diesel +R1.97
- July: Petrol +R1.50, Diesel +R1.96 (final removal)
Expect further announcements from the Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources at the end of May and June.
19. How often do fuel prices change in South Africa?
Fuel prices are adjusted monthly, typically on the first Wednesday of each month. The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announces adjustments based on:
- International crude oil prices
- Rand/US dollar exchange rate
- Fuel levies and taxes
- Slate levy adjustments
20. Where can I find official fuel price announcements?
Official announcements are made by the Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources via:
- Website: dmre.gov.za
- Press releases to major news outlets
- Social media (@DMRE_ZA)
21. What does “wholesale” mean in the diesel prices?
The prices listed for diesel are wholesale prices (before retail markup). The actual pump price will be slightly higher due to:
- Retail margins
- Transport costs
- VAT (Value Added Tax)
For exact pump prices, check your local petrol station.
22. Will public transport prices increase?
Likely yes. Taxis, buses, and ride-hailing services (Uber, Bolt) may increase fares to cover higher fuel costs. These increases are at the discretion of individual operators.
23. Is this the largest fuel increase in South African history?
No, but it is one of the largest single-month hikes in recent years. The corrected diesel increase of R5.27 per litre is significant but lower than the originally announced R6.19.
