For Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Thabi Shomolekae. 

Making headlines: Petrol prices to decrease by 52c a litre, but diesel prices to increase by up to R1.38 a litre; Ramaphosa says SA’s energy transition must deliver affordable power, community growth; And, Mali's former prime minister announces release from prison

Petrol prices to decrease by 52c a litre, but diesel prices to increase by up to R1.38 a litre

The Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources has revealed that the price of Petrol 93 and Petrol 95 will decrease by 52c a litre from Wednesday, but the prices of diesel will increase by R1.23 and R1.38 a litre for diesel with a 0.005% and 0.05% sulphur content, respectively.

The department notes that these changes are based on various factors, including a decrease in the average Brent crude oil price, from $86.53/barrel to $82.37/barrel, for the period under review.

"The impact of renewed US/Iran tensions which caused the price to increase up to a $100 mark, was offset by the fact that the prices had already decreased significantly the previous month and the first half of this month due to the ceasefire memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran, as well as lower global demand for crude oil," it points out.

Further, the DMPR notes that the average international product prices of petrol decreased during the period under review, while the prices of diesel and illuminating paraffin increased due to supply shortages caused by Russia/Ukraine conflict, which resulted in diesel export restrictions by Russia.

Ramaphosa says SA’s energy transition must deliver affordable power, community growth

President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised that South Africa’s shift to clean energy must be an inclusive process that strengthens local communities and lowers the cost of electricity for everyday citizens.

Writing in his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa stated that it is the collective responsibility of government, business, labour, and civil society to ensure the energy transition delivers equitable benefits.

The President’s address follows significant policy developments aimed at restructuring the nation's energy landscape.

He also noted that while coal continues to dominate South Africa’s energy mix, the growth of renewable energy is accelerating.

He said the installation of rooftop solar by households and businesses, has exceeded expectations.

According to Statistics South Africa, there has been an 86% increase in households with solar panels over just a three-year period, totalling 675 000 households in 2025.

And, Mali's former prime minister announces release from prison

Mali's former Prime Minister Moussa Mara has been released from prison, he said at the weekend in a video posted on Facebook.

Mara was sentenced to two years in October 2025, including one year in prison and a second on probation, over a social-media post criticising the military government's restrictions on democracy.

He had been detained last August and charged with undermining the credibility of the state and spreading false information.

He had been summoned repeatedly over a social media post in July 2025 that expressed solidarity with government critics who had been jailed.

Mara was among few public figures in Mali who criticised Assimi Goita's military government.

That’s a roundup of news making headlines today

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