Lamola’s ‘attack’ on another American leader, and bids to block South Africa’s new speeding fines fail
The rand weakened by nearly 2% last week, primarily due to a stronger dollar and rising global bond yields, as investors are reducing their exposure to riskier assets.
This was influenced by higher US Treasury yields, which continue to weigh on emerging market assets. On Thursday, the rand dropped approximately 1.5% despite supportive domestic data.
This included lower-than-expected producer inflation, a trade surplus that exceeded forecasts, and a survey indicating an improvement in manufacturing sentiment after three months of contraction.
Analysts noted that higher US bond yields pose a challenge for emerging and frontier markets, as they tend to attract capital away from riskier investments.
This puts pressure on local currencies. They also warned that a prolonged selloff in bonds could trigger a deeper correction in global equity markets.
The rand has depreciated for four consecutive weeks and is on track for its sharpest decline during this period, while the dollar is poised for a third consecutive weekly gain.
Investor attention is likely to focus on the US payrolls report scheduled for later in the day, with expectations that job growth may have slowed in September.
ETM Analytics mentioned that a strong jobs report could ease market concerns and support the rand. [Reuters]
On Monday, 5 October 2026, the rand was trading at R16.74 to the dollar, R22.11 to the pound, and R18.71 to the euro. Gold is trading at $4,131.85, while oil prices were at $101.70 a barrel.
5 important things happening in South Africa today
Lamola’s ‘attack’ on another American leader: South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, told the Sunday Times that Ambassador L. Brent Bozell III should “get out of the kitchen” if he no longer supports diplomatic engagement with Pretoria. Bozell responded, claiming he faces personal insults from Lamola while being expected to remain silent. “Here we go again. Another personal attack aimed at an American leader, this time at me. And then the South African government wonders why relations are collapsing,” he said. [Newsday]
Hackers hit South African companies for R5 million each: The South African Post Office (SAPO) says it has helped defeat two legal applications to block the implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act. This came after the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) raised concerns over AARTO and the use of the Post Office to deliver fine notices under the new system. [MyBroadband]
One more interest rate hike: Financial markets are pricing in one more 25-basis-point interest rate hike for South Africa in 2026. Rising global oil prices are expected to lead to another fuel price increase in South Africa, which will put upward pressure on inflation. [Daily Investor]
South Africa’s wastewater crisis: Almost half of South Africa’s municipal wastewater treatment systems are in critical condition, with the Department of Water and Sanitation pursuing 96 criminal cases against 53 water services authorities due to ongoing sewerage infrastructure failures. [Business Day]
Disturbing insurance trend: Life insurers in South Africa have flagged a sharp increase in cases where people are allegedly killed so beneficiaries can collect insurance payouts. [BusinessTech]
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