Motorists must brace for pain at the pumps with fuel prices set to rise in February, warns AA

Fuel prices across the board are set to increase in February, says the Automobile Association (AA).

Commenting on unaudited data from the Central Energy Fund, the AA says petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin will be more expensive next month, again adding financial strain on already cash-strapped South Africans.

The latest data shows an increase of about 52c/l cents for 95 ULP petrol and about 57c/l for 93 ULP petrol, and increases of between 22c/l and 33c/l for diesel. The price of illuminating paraffin will climb by about 38c/l.

“The data is showing price increases to international petroleum products are the main driver behind this expected increase to local fuel prices, while the strength of the rand against the dollar is limiting these increases by between 10c and 14c on all fuels,” the AA said.

“Increases in fuel prices now, when South Africans are grappling with, among other things, financial pressures and rolling blackouts, is unwelcome. We again urge the government to revisit the fuel pricing structure to find ways to mitigate against this and other possible increases in future.”