Government has opened the process of deregulating the price of petrol.

Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe gazetted the intention to begin this process, and opened the floor for comment on this measure.

It effectively kicks off a 30-day period for public comment on the introduction of a price cap for 93 octane petrol.

This initiative will essentially place a limit on fuel prices and allow retailers to discount fuel however they see fit, with price specials, bundles, or volume discounts.

South Africans are struggling to pay nearly R26 for a litre of petrol.

The exact price of fuel is set by government, and it is illegal to sell petrol at any other price.

Minister Mantashe has however failed to detail how a price cap would be calculated, when, or how it would be enforced.