The price of petrol could go up by between ten and 15 cents a litre next week, Efficient Group chief economist Dawie Roodt said on Tuesday.

The hike would be mainly because of an increase in the oil price, albeit tempered by the strong rand, he said.

Oil prices have gone up $10 a barrel since December. The rand strengthened to below six rand to the dollar in the past week.

Refusing to comment, Department of Minerals and Energy spokesperson Yvonne Mfolo said it was policy not to give out information before it was officially released.

"The petrol price will be announced on Friday," she said.

"There's nothing more I can say at this stage."

Sapa

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