The Automobile Association (AA) says a sudden weakness in the Rand after a lengthy period of stability has put pressure on the fuel price and has left South Africans at the mercy of international oil markets.
The AA was commenting on unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund.
Based on the current data, petrol is showing an increase of up to ten cents a litre, illuminating paraffin 12 cents, and diesel as much as 16 cents.
"International oil prices have dropped markedly since the beginning of the month, with crude oil having consistently traded below 60 US dollars per barrel. In recent days though, there have been signs of an uptick, which could see fuel prices come under renewed pressure," says the AA.
However, the AA says the Rand plummeted over the same period after trading within a consistently narrow band since June. This has turned a likely fuel price reduction into an across-the-board increase.
"We are concerned that there may be worse to come," the AA adds.
