Johannesburg – Inflation in South Africa rose for a second consecutive month in September, pushed up by higher fuel prices after a period of cooling, official data showed on Wednesday.
Annual consumer price inflation reached 5.4 percent last month, up from 4.8 percent in August, national statistics agency StatsSA said.
“This brings the rate to the same level as June this year,” the agency said.
“The transport category – mainly influenced by fuel – exerted strong upward pressure,” it added.
Fuel prices rose by 7.6 percent between August and September, with the cost of 95-octane petrol in some areas reaching a 13-month high.
Oil prices have jumped globally in recent months as a result of supply cuts by Saudi Arabia and Russia.
They are now also suffering from fears that the Israel-Hamas conflict could spill over into a regional war.
In South Africa, food prices also recorded a small increase, with food inflation reaching 8.1 percent.
The central bank has set a target for inflation of between three and six percent and kept its main interest rate unchanged at 8.25 percent last month.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
