Latest news with #DMRE
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Fuel price update still pending as June adjustment date nears
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has not yet released the official fuel price adjustments for June, which are typically announced on the Tuesday preceding the first Wednesday of each month. The adjustments usually come into effect the following day. According to a report by IOL, the delay appears to be linked to an urgent court application brought by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who are opposing the implementation of a hike in the general fuel levy. The matter is expected to be heard in the Western Cape High Court this afternoon. The EFF is arguing that the levy increase, which was first announced in the February national budget, would disproportionately affect low-income households already grappling with the rising cost of living. While unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) suggests a slight decrease in both petrol and diesel prices, these figures remain provisional. The official adjustment — including any changes to the levy — will only be confirmed once published by the DMRE. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Petrol and diesel prices drop from Wednesday, 4 June, but levy
This is how much it will cost you at the pumps While South African motorists will pay less for petrol and diesel at the pumps from next week, petrol costs will still be affected by the fuel levy. The slight petrol price decrease from Wednesday, 4 June 2025, will be a relief for cash-strapped motorists. Petrol and diesel prices The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) announced that the prices of both 93-octane and 95-octane petrol will decrease by five cents per litre. The price of both grades of diesel with (0.05% sulphur) and (0.005% sulphur) goes down by 36.9 cents per litre. Meanwhile, illuminating paraffin will cost 56 cents less per litre, while the price of LP gas decreases by 89 cents per kg. ALSO READ: Fuel levy hike to go ahead as EFF fails in court How much will fuel cost you? When the fuel price adjustment kicks in, a litre of 93 unleaded petrol will cost R21.40 per litre, while 95 unleaded will be R21.51 The wholesale price of 0.05% diesel will decrease to R18.68 per litre, and 0.005% will cost R18.73 Reasons for petrol decrease DMRE spokesperson Robert Maake said several factors, including the international petroleum product prices and the rand/US dollar exchange rate, contributed to the decrease in petrol and diesel prices. Brent Crude oil price Maake said the average Brent Crude oil price decreased from 66.40 US Dollars (USD) to 63.95 USD during the period under review. 'The main contributing factors are the continued global trade uncertainty, lower global crude oil demand outlook, as well as the OPEC+ announcement of planned production increase in June 2025 and possibly in July 2025'. Rand/US dollar exchange Maake said the Rand appreciated on average, against the US Dollar (from 18.84 to 18.11 Rand per USD) during the period under review when compared to the previous one. 'This led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and Illuminating Paraffin by over 39.00 cents per litre'. Fuel levy The Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, in his Budget Vote Speech on the 21st of May 2025, announced that the Fuel Levy will increase by 16.00 c/l on petrol and 15.00 c/l on diesel, respectively, with effect from the 4th of June 2025. 'Therefore, the Fuel Levy in the price structures of petrol and diesel will increase to R4.15 per litre and R4.02 per litre, respectively. 'The Road Accident Fund levy remains unchanged at R2.18 per litre on the price structures of petrol and diesel,' Maake said. Slate levy Maake said the cumulative slate amounted to a positive balance of R4.486 billion for petrol and diesel at the end of April 2025. 'In line with the provisions of the Self-Adjusting Slate Levy Mechanism, a slate levy remains unchanged at zero cents per litre in the price structures of petrol and diesel with effect from the 4th of June 2025,' Maake said. ALSO READ: Cape Town F1 Grand Prix proposal aims to build on World Cup legacy
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Unused solar geysers not owned by municipality
The JB Marks municipality, responded to the Herald's enquiries regarding the unused solar geysers that are being stored in a community hall. The Democratic Alliance (DA) sent a press release on the matter last week. The party has called on the Executive Mayor and Municipal Manager to conduct an urgent investigation and report to Council on how solar water-heater units meant for low-income households have remained in storage for years. Read the previous article here: In response the municipality said that the solar geysers in question were installed under the National Solar Water Heater Programme, which was managed and owned by the National Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE). 'The JB Marks Local Municipality wishes to emphasize that, it is not the implementing agent and holds no direct responsibility over the assets or execution of the project,' Jeanette Tshite, municipal spokesperson said. According to her, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy had previously appointed service providers to carry out the project. This contract has since expired. 'A new service provider was appointed by the Department but was unable to commence work due to theft of critical materials from the site. As reported to the Municipality, the Department has since reported the matter to the South African Police Service and opened two criminal cases in connection with the stolen materials at Sarafina Community Hall. Unfortunately, there has been no significant progress in these investigations, which has led to delays and a suspension of the project,' Tshite said. Several meetings have been convened between the Municipal Manager and DMRE Officials. These engagements were aimed at encouraging progress in resolving outstanding issues, particularly the recovery or replacement of stolen materials. 'The JB Marks Local Municipality understands frustration of community members and share their desire to see the project completed. The Municipality remains committed to engaging with relevant national departments to support initiatives that improve the quality of life of our residents. Nevertheless, we reiterate that all decisions and further actions lie with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. Members of community and stakeholders who seek further information about solar geysers, project implementation, or future plans are encouraged to contact the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy directly, as the Municipality does not hold the mandate for this program,' Tshite noted. The Herald contacted the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, and will include their response once it is received. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
11-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Will the fuel cut really make a difference in the lives of SA consumers?
Food basket. The past few months have been among the toughest yet for citizens from all walks of life and the tiny petrol price cut announced by the DMRE will make no discernible difference in the lives of consumers who are still facing prices above R20,00 per litre at the pumps. Image: Independent Newspapers The pain continues for millions of South Africans who have battled their way through the past year, despite the cost-of-living crisis that has all but decimated household budgets across income groups, with no easing up of their financial burden on any front whatsoever. 'The past few months have been among the toughest yet for citizens from all walks of life and the tiny petrol price cut announced by the Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (DMRE) this week will make no discernible difference in the lives of consumers who are still facing prices above R20,00 per litre at the pumps. In addition, rocketing food prices and unsustainably high interest rates keep them locked into a debt cycle that they cannot escape,' CEO of Debt Rescue Neil Roets said. This past week the DMRE published the official fuel price adjustments that took effect on Wednesday, 7 May, announcing a cut in the price of petrol of 22 cents per litre for 93 and 95 petrol, respectively and between 41 and 42 cents per litre for diesel. This was largely due to steep declines in global oil prices in April as markets got rattled by US President Donald Trump's tariffs and trade wars, while the rand weakened slightly amid the shocks. The average Brent crude oil price declined from $71.04 to $66.40 over the month, and the average international product prices for petrol, diesel and illuminated paraffin decreased during the period under review. 'While any financial relief is obviously welcome, authorities need to recognise that South Africans are at breaking point right now under the combined onslaught of food prices that have increased far above the inflation rate, interest rates that are still among the highest they have been in a decade and the relentless financial onslaught from Eskom for an essential service that impacts the survival of every man, woman and child,' Roets told Business Report. The price of food is unsurprisingly at the top of the list of concerns for the majority of households across the nation, not least because recent price increases for basic foodstuffs now place nutritional meals out of reach, especially among lower-income families. While the latest inflation data for South Africa showed an easing, food prices in the country saw a sharp increase. The April 2025 Household Affordability Index, confirmed the daily reality facing people today: the cost of survival is rising faster than people can keep up. 'The figures in the April 2025 Household Affordability Index, released by the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) , reflect a brutal truth—millions of South Africans are no longer coping,' Roets said. Aliya Chikte, project officer at the Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC) said that although food inflation is slowing down, the average cost of a household food basket is unaffordable in the context of mass unemployment and deep impoverishment. The latest PMBEJD report shows that the average household food basket, catering for a family of four, now costs R5 420.30, but a nutritionally adequate food basket is priced at R6 666.26. That's a shortfall of R1 245.96, a gap that low-income households simply cannot close through income alone. This means that workers earning the National Minimum Wage are R2 000 short on food after covering just electricity and transport, leaving only R453.28 per person per month for food, far below the Food Poverty Line of R796. The effect of VAT on the household food basket is significant, with 22 of the 44 food items in the total household food basket subject to VAT. Food items subject to VAT made up 46% of the total cost of the household food basket in April. With zero-rated food items costing R2 929.32 and foods subject to VAT R2 490.97, VAT on the total household food basket amounted to R324.91. 'This means that 6.0% of the household food basket was made up of VAT. This is money that could be used to buy more food,' Roets said. "Added to this is the sad fact that hard-working taxpayers will ultimately pay for any mistakes made by the government. When the Western Cape High Court stopped the tabled VAT hike, it passed the legal costs on to Treasury and Parliament. This means that taxpayers will end up footing this bill. Exactly how much remains to be seen, but it is likely to run into hundreds of thousands of rands," Roets said. The latest BankservAfrica Take-Home Pay Index showed that nominal average take-home pay declined to 17,811 in March 2025, 2.5% lower compared to February's R18,272, due to intensifying economic headwinds both locally and globally that continue to pressure growth prospects and confidence levels. This raises concerns over potential impacts on employment and earnings in the coming months despite the upward year-on-year momentum.
The South African
03-05-2025
- Business
- The South African
Fuel price drop in May 2025: Here's how much you'll save at pump
Here is the fuel price drop for May 2025, as South African motorists are finally getting some relief at the pump. The Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (DMRE) has confirmed significant fuel price cuts effective Wednesday, 7 May 2025, following a sharp drop in global oil prices and despite a weaker rand. From 7 May, both 93 and 95 unleaded petrol prices will drop by 22 cents per litre. Diesel users will enjoy even bigger savings, with price reductions ranging between 41 and 42 cents per litre. These changes come after a turbulent April that saw oil markets tumble due to international tensions, while local currency fluctuations threatened to offset those gains. Still, the fall in global oil prices overpowered the impact of a weakened rand and tax hikes. International oil markets have been on edge. The average Brent crude oil price plummeted from $71.04 to $66.40 during April. 'This was due to the tariff and trade war initiated by the US, which has raised global economic recession concerns and a possible lower demand for crude oil,' the DMRE explained in a statement. Analysts point to growing fears of a worldwide economic slowdown and a surprise decision by OPEC+ to ramp up production, which further pushed down prices. These developments have driven down the cost of refined fuels like petrol, diesel, and paraffin in the international market. While global oil prices dropped, the rand weakened against the US dollar, nearly dulling the benefit. The average exchange rate from 28 March to 1 May 2025 hit R18.8382, compared to R18.2957 in the previous period. This depreciation led to an increased contribution to the Basic Fuel Price: Petrol: +29.13 cents per litre Diesel: +30.34 cents per litre Illuminating paraffin: +30.24 cents per litre Still, the falling oil prices helped neutralize the rand's negative impact. In his March 2025 Budget Speech, the Minister of Finance confirmed that the Fuel Levy would remain unchanged at 396.00 c/l for petrol and 384.00 c/l for diesel. The Road Accident Fund (RAF) Levy also stays flat at 218.00 c/l for both. However, drivers are now paying more for the carbon fuel levy, which rose by 3.00 c/l, bringing it to: 14c/l for petrol 17c/l for diesel As a result, the total fuel levies increased to 399.00 c/l for petrol and 387.00 c/l for diesel, effective 2 April 2025. The slate levy, a mechanism to balance under- or over-recoveries in fuel pricing, remains at zero cents per litre for both petrol and diesel. Fuel prices in South Africa are finally falling thanks to a global oil price drop. While currency challenges and tax tweaks soften the impact, motorists will still see noticeable savings in May 2025. Keep your tank full and your wallet happy. Stay tuned with The South African as we present the fuel price drop for May 2025. Will this decrease help your pocket? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
