Diesel price corrected after government error, but truckers still face record costs

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources (DMPR) has confirmed that the diesel price increase for Wednesday, 6 May will be R5.27 per litre, not the R6.19 that was originally announced. The correction comes after a calculation error linked to the temporary fuel tax relief.

The mistake was caused by a decimal slip while working out the diesel tax reprieve, which has now been set at R3.93 per litre for May. Petrol, however, stays unchanged, climbing by R3.27 per litre as initially announced.

Even with the adjustment, diesel is still pushing into record territory, and for truck drivers running long-haul loads, this is where things start biting hard.

At the pumps, 95 unleaded petrol will now sit around R25.80 per litre at the coast and R26.63 inland, while diesel wholesale prices are expected to hit roughly R30.62 at the coast and R31.38 in Gauteng. Once retail margins are added, operators will be paying even more depending on where they fill up.

For the transport industry, this is not just another increase, it’s a direct hit on operating costs. Every kilometre on routes like the N3 now comes with a heavier price tag, and for fleet owners, margins are getting squeezed from all sides.

Adding to the pressure is the Slate Levy of R1.22 per litre, introduced to recover a massive under-recovery balance of R14.17 billion. In simple terms, the industry is now paying back past pricing gaps, whether operators can afford it or not.

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The bigger concern is what lies ahead.

May’s increases were driven mainly by rising international oil prices, with the rand playing only a minor role. But global oil markets are heating up fast. Brent crude has already jumped well above recent averages, trading between $113 and $126 per barrel amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

If that trend continues, June and July could hit even harder.

At the same time, South Africa’s temporary fuel tax relief is being phased out. Diesel relief will drop next month and is expected to fall away completely by July, meaning operators will soon be paying the full levy again.

For truckers on the ground, the reality is simple, the correction might have shaved off a few cents, but the overall fuel bill is still climbing fast.

And right now, there’s no sign of it slowing down.