Local motorists and petroleum-driven industries are sitting on a time bomb following yet another hefty increase in the retail price of petrol in South Africa, with similar increases likely to be approved in Namibia.

The retail price of petrol in South Africa rose between 69 cents and 75 cents per litre yesterday. The increase will mean that petrol prices will exceed the N$10 mark, for the first time in the Namibian history. Diesel has already exceeded N$10 following the previous fuel price increase, early last month.
 The Deputy Director of Gas and Fuel in the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Immanuel Nghishoongele could not rule out the possibility of a further fuel increase in weeks to come. He said the ministry is awaiting the monthly fuel price review for  June after which a decision will be made on whether or not to increase fuel price in line with the changes in South Africa. The review will be submitted to the ministry during the course of this week.
The recent fuel price adjustments are attributed to the average increase in international product prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin between 30 May 30 and 26 June, reports say. 
Despite the ever-increasing fuel prices, the technical issues surrounding oil dispensers remain unresolved. Namibia utilises dispensers, which are unable to display four-digit prices. Nghishoongele said his ministry is advising local oil companies on way’s to solve what could prove to be a disastrous problem to motorists and fuel retailers alike. “The problem is likely to be rectified by the end of the year,” he said.
In neighbouring South Africa, the retail price of petrol per litre on the affected pumps will be marked at a tenth (1/10) of the official price per litre, which will be broadcast in the Government Gazette by the country’s department of Minerals and Energy.