# South Africans face higher travel costs this festive season, with Investec chief economist Annabel Bishop warning fuel prices will remain elevated into 2027. Speaking to CapeTalk, Bishop said petrol prices had risen from 20- to 30-rand a litre this year, while diesel climbed from 17- to 31-rand and could rise up to 34-rand next month. She says higher fuel costs are squeezing consumers, pressuring businesses, threatening tourism and economic growth, and could push inflation to five-percent, with further interest rate hikes possible.
Investec economist says surge in diesel price threatens growth and tourism