Cape Town – The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has admitted that it made a mistake when it announced the new fuel price hikes on Monday.
In a statement on Wednesday, the department said it overstated the prices by 6c. This effectively meant that petrol increased by 75c per litre and not 81c.
“The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy regrets to announce that the adjustment of petrol price announced on Monday 29 November was erroneous.
“… the 6 cents difference is due to the fact that the adjustment of wages for service station workers had already been implemented in September 2021.
[NOTICE OF ERROR] #PetrolPrice @GwedeMantashe1 @SACentralEnerg1 @GCISMedia pic.twitter.com/Sehqfke5wh
— Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (@DMRE_ZA) December 1, 2021
“Although it is for the very first time that such an error has occurred in the history of basic fuel price determination in South Africa, the DMRE profusely apologises for the inconvenience caused. The rest of the fuel prices are correct,” read the statement.
Diesel went up by between 72.5c a litre (0.05% sulphur) and 74.5c (0.005% sulphur).
Illuminating paraffin went up by 42.2c/l, while the maximum LPGas retail price increased by 183.00c/kg from Wednesday.
The department instructed stakeholders to effect the changes with immediate effect.
The new fuel adjustment. #PetrolPrice pic.twitter.com/FnC9I7QH2T
— Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (@DMRE_ZA) December 1, 2021
According to EWN, the department cited a weaker rand that has lost major ground to the dollar over the past few weeks.
“The average international product prices for petrol, diesel increased whilst illuminating paraffin decreased during the period under review.
“The rand depreciated against the US dollar during the period under review, on average, when compared to the previous period,” the report quoted the department as saying.
ALSO READ | SA motorists dealt another blow as fuel price hikes announced for Wednesday
This is the second major hike in two months and follows other increases this year.
A report by IOL said that the December fuel price adjustment will see the cost of 95 Unleaded Petrol rising to R19.63 per litre at the coast and R20.35 in the inland regions, where 93 Unleaded will rise to R20.13.
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