JOHANNESBURG, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Amid mounting pressure from global oil markets, the South African government announced on Monday a new round of fuel price increases starting May 6.
The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources confirmed that the price of both grades of petrol will increase by 3.27 rand (about 0.2 U.S. dollars) per liter, while diesel will rise by 6.19 rand.
According to the department, the average Brent Crude oil price surged from 93.67 dollars to 101 dollars per barrel during the review period, largely due to ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran, as well as disruptions to key supply routes, including the Strait of Hormuz.
In response to the fuel crisis, the department announced last week that it would extend temporary relief measures from May 6 to June 2, specifically a reduction of 3 rand per liter for petrol and 3.93 rand for diesel.
For June, this relief will be halved to phase out the measure. From July 1, the general fuel levy will return to 4.1 rand per liter for petrol and 3.93 rand for diesel.
The initial relief measure, which took effect on April 1 and was due to end on May 5, was introduced to provide limited short-term relief to households amid rising fuel prices. ■
