The increase in the price of fuel has not come as a shock to the road freight industry. The Road Freight Association (RFA) was very aware that a price increase was coming, and had advised both its members and consumers that they needed to prepare - as best as possible - for what lay ahead.
With effect from 7 May 2026, the Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has confirmed increases of R6.19 per litre on diesel (0.05% sulphur and 0.005% sulphur) and R3.27 per litre on petrol (93 and 95, ULP and LRP). These are not figures to be taken lightly.
These price hikes will have a further and significant impact on operating costs and cash flow for road freight operators across the country. Those that were already in a precarious position following the April increase will now have an even tougher battle to survive - and there may well be hard decisions to make regarding business longevity or even business closure.
The consumer will start to feel more pressure on retail prices at the till - as only so much can be absorbed by retail or service / product providers before they, too, must pass costs on. Inflation targets will come under upward pressure as a result, eroding the purchasing power of ordinary South Africans who are already stretched.
Unfortunately, the current Iran conflict - including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and damage to critical oil infrastructure, has pushed the international price of Brent Crude from USD 93.67 to USD 101 per barrel. The RFA is concerned that, subject to change in geopolitical conditions, South Africa will most probably face further fuel price increases in the months ahead. We urge government to use this window to put in place structural protections for the logistics sector and for consumers before the next cycle of increases arrives.
Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association
