Under-recovery for unleaded 95 petrol was R1.11 in the first 10 days of September, the CEF says, but analysts say a stronger rand may be on the way.

The Central Energy Fund (CEF) said on Tuesday that a weaker rand and a higher international fuel price hike led to more than an R1 under-recovery for all grades of fuel in the first 10 days of September, putting motorists in line for yet another hefty fuel price increase.

Unleaded 95 petrol saw an R1.11 under-recovery during the period, 65c of this due to a weaker rand, and 45c due to a rising oil price. Diesel saw the most under-recovery, at R1.37, followed by illuminating paraffin’s R1.36.

A rising fuel price has become a key political issue recently after a number of hefty increases, with energy minister Jeff Radebe intervening in August to cap September’s increase at 5c, as opposed to an increase of between 25c and 28c.

Fuel Price Hike

The rand has slipped about 2.63% against the dollar so far in September, under significant strain from emerging-market contagion and news that SA entered a technical recession in the second quarter.

At the same time, Brent oil was 0.61% firmer at R77.81 a barrel. The price of Brent crude has risen 0.2% so far in September, recently bolstered by concerns of tightening supply amid stricter sanctions against Iran.

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