It’s been a rough August for many South African wallets. There’s the obvious – with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy slapping us with a fuel price increase in August’s early days. The gaming sector too – especially PlayStation – hit the country with even larger hikes. More than once. September isn’t changing that trend, with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy announcing one of the largest petrol and diesel price hikes we’ve seen in months.

We’re not surprised, either. The Central Energy Fund (CEF) has been predicting the coming petrol and diesel price hike for weeks now. Based on the weaker-than-usual Rand/US Dollar exchange, the rising price of refined oil, and South Africa’s general incompetence when it comes to Eskom, it was hardly a surprise when the Department announced a nearly R3.00 increase in diesel prices for September.

Is September over yet?

There’s no need to go rushing off to the nearest petrol station yet. The Department’s new prices will only be reflected at the pumps on Wednesday, 6 September at 00:01, leaving the country with plenty of time to fill up. Still… we wouldn’t wait too long to get going. We’re getting woozy just imagining the queues.

From 00:01 on the morning of Wednesday, 6 September, petroleum-based fuels will see the following increases:

Petrol 93: increase of 171 cents per litre (R1.71)
Petrol 95: increase of 171 cents per litre (R1.71)
Diesel 0.05%: increase of 284 cents per litre (R2.84)
Diesel 0.005%: increase of 276 cents per litre (R2.76)
Illuminating Paraffin: increase of 278 cents per litre (R2.78)

There’s no sugar-coating on this one. It’s not a pretty sight, and it’s one that’s going to stick around ‘til October rolls ‘round. It might even continue to increase, depending on how well the Rand fares against the US Dollar over the coming month. That’s the excuse the Department is throwing our way, anyway.