It was reported on March 31 that the Department of Minerals and Energy had said that this was in terms of a Cabinet decision made earlier in the month, confirming its approval in 2002 of a recommendation to discontinue leaded petrol by 2006.

From January 1 next year, motorists will be able to choose between 91, 93 and 95 octane unleaded petrol.

A 95 octane lead replacement petrol will also be available for older cars inland, and a 93 octane LRP at the coast. Users of  this grade of petrol would have to pay a special ten cents per litre levy, which could be increased to as much as 50 cents per litre depending on demand.

Diesel users will from January 1 have to use a new lower sulphur grade of the fuel. Diesel with 3000 sulphur parts per million would be replaced by a new diesel containing only 500 parts per million.

31 March 2005