South Africans are already feeling fresh pressure at the pumps after diesel prices climbed to R27.50 per litre at some TotalEnergies service stations. The increase comes days before the next official fuel price adjustment is due.

According to a leaked letter cited in the source article, TotalEnergies told filling station owners to gradually raise diesel pump prices by R8 per litre. The company said the move was aimed at preventing abnormal demand and possible stock-outs across its network.

The letter said a global crisis had pushed up wholesale diesel prices by R6 per litre, while “extraordinary logistics costs” added more strain. It also stated that the wholesale increase would apply from Wednesday, 25 March 2026.

Planned Increases Rolled Out Over Three Days

Reports say station owners were advised to phase in the hikes over three days. That meant an added R6 per litre on 25 March, followed by R1 more on 26 March and another R1 on 27 March.

A TotalEnergies station in Johannesburg was already charging the higher diesel price, while sources also reported similar increases in Bloemfontein and confirmation of an overnight price jump at a station in Goodwood, Cape Town.

That has raised concern because South Africa’s diesel prices are usually shaped by the monthly fuel price cycle, not sudden pump-level increases before the official adjustment date. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has not yet published new wholesale diesel prices for April.

March Already Brought a Diesel Increase

This latest move lands after motorists and transport operators were hit with a diesel increase earlier this month. The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources announced that from 4 March 2026, diesel rose by 62 cents per litre for 0.05% sulphur and 65 cents per litre for 0.005% sulphur.

The department said the March increase was driven by higher crude oil prices, rising international petroleum product prices and exchange rate pressures.