Fuel price increase coming in February, predicts AA
The AA said motorists can expect a litre of 95 octane to climb from R22.44 cents to R23.15 cents a litre.
Petrol pumps at a fuel filling station. Picture: Zunaid Ismael/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - South Africans will have to dig even deeper into already shallow pockets as the price of fuel is expected to increase significantly in February.
While most consumers are recovering from festive season spending and stretched budgets, the latest fuel price prediction from the Automobile Association (AA) points to a steep hike at the pumps from Wednesday. Adjustments in the fuel price are made on the first Wednesday of each month.
While the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy is yet to confirm the increase, the AA said that motorists could expect a litre of 95 octane to climb from R22.44 cents to R23.15 cents a litre.
The AA’s Eleanor Mavimbela said with household budgets in the red, these new fuel price increases will come as a double blow.
"The numbers are indicating that the short-lived relief South African motorists enjoyed over the past three months is over. According to the data, 93 unleaded, as well as 95 unleaded petrol, are expected to climb by between 64 cents a litre and 66 cents per litre respectively, while diesel is expected to increase by 63 cents a litre. Illuminating paraffin is expected to be 47 cents per litre more expensive going into the month of February."