Tshwane mother’s petrol frustration resonates nationwide

A Tshwane single mother posted a TikTok video on 10 October 2026 expressing frustration after the Gauteng petrol price increased by R3.33 per litre, taking 95 unleaded petrol to R30.25 per litre. Posting as @randomtingzlikepoetry, she described the effect of the price on the money she had available for fuel.

“I just paid 30 rand 25 cents per litre for petrol. How the freak am I supposed to survive as a single mom? It's four litres of petrol, 150 rand. That's what I had,” she said.

“They killing us, South Africa,” she added.

Briefly News reported that the clip quickly resonated with thousands of South Africans, and that commenters from Australia and the UK also compared their own fuel costs with what South Africans are now paying.

Oil Prices Drive Pressure

According to reports cited by Briefly News, the increase is largely tied to rising Brent crude oil prices, which climbed from an average of $87.89 to $101 per barrel, driven by US-Iran tensions and tighter global oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz.

Fuel Relief Has Ended

A government fuel tax relief that previously reduced prices by up to R3.00 per litre was fully phased out by the end of June.

Levies Add to Costs

Motorists now carry the full weight of the General Fuel Levy and the Road Accident Fund levy, with total government taxes on fuel at roughly R6.58 per litre.

A cumulative slate levy deficit of R10.45 billion for petrol and diesel has further pushed up the basic fuel price, Briefly News reported.