Andre de Ruyter on Ramaphosa, and South Africans threatened with arrest for fixing potholes
The rand edged up on Friday after the release of a higher-than-expected December US inflation reading, while investors also watched rising geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran.
Overnight, the rand traded at R16.04 against the dollar, roughly up 0.4% on Thursday close, after trading flat earlier in the day.
The greenback was muted against a basket of currencies as the Personal Consumption Expenditure index, the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge, rose 0.4% in December, on a month-over-month basis, compared to economists’ estimate of a 0.3% rise.
The rand often takes cues from global drivers such as US policy and economic data.
US President Donald Trump warned Iran that it must reach a deal over its nuclear programme or “bad things” will happen, and appeared to set a 10-day deadline before the US might take action.
“The US’s posture towards Iran has some investors spooked that it may impact oil production, and Brent crude oil prices touched $72.0 p/b overnight,” said ETM Analytics in a note.
“The implication is that it could keep inflationary pressures elevated and affect interest rates, which in turn would negatively impact stock markets,” the note added.
Markets were also hit with another bombshell late on Friday, when the US Supreme Court struck down Trump’s emergency “reciprocal” tariffs, introduced in April 2025 and implemented in August 2025.
The court ruled that the president overstepped his legal authority regarding the IEEPA tariffs. Trump has signalled that he will ignore the order and will implement further tariffs under different laws.
The market reaction to the news was muted, as the ruling was widely anticipated. However, the rand strengthened.
5 important things happening in South Africa today
1. Andre de Ruyter on Ramaphosa: Former Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter has praised President Cyril Ramaphosa for laying down the law about the liberalisation of South Africa’s electricity industry. The president said in his SONA that South Africa would get an independent transmission company that would own the country’s assets, shooting down attempts by the Electricity Ministry and Eskom to retain the assets and thus maintain the latter’s monopoly. De Ruyter said Ramaphosa’s clarity will drive more private investment. [Daily Investor]
2. Pothole arrest: The Johannesburg Roads Agency has warned anyone conducting “unauthorised repairs” of potholes that they will be arrested. It said that filling potholes without written approval and a valid wayleave constitutes a breach of the City’s Code of Practice and relevant bylaws, and that offenders risk fines, equipment confiscation, and possible arrest by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department. The JRA lacks the capacity to repair all the city’s potholes, and roads are deteriorating. It welcomed private sector assistance – but only through the right channels. [MyBroadband]
3. New trade ban on South Africa: The spokesperson for Zambia’s Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Benny Munyama, announced on 14 February 2026 that all import permits for South African livestock-related products have been suspended. This comes as South Africa’s livestock industry has been severely affected by a widespread outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). The suspension was announced with immediate effect. No information has been given as to when the ban will be lifted. [Newsday]
4. Saving sugar giant: The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition is opposing the liquidation of sugar giant Tongaat-Hulett, and says it will move to secure and stabilise the company to prevent job losses and knock-on effects to the wider industry. [TimesLive]
5. Steenhuisen holding on: Agriculture minister and exiting DA leader John Steenhuisen has dismissed as rumours talk of him being withdrawn as a minister and replaced. He said that he will not be leaving the ministry any time soon, dismissing the speculation as “hogwash” and “gossip”. [News24]
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