Transport costs jumped 12.7% as fuel prices surged 34.3%, while core inflation climbed to 4.1%, pointing to broader price pressures beyond energy.
South Africa’s annual inflation rate accelerated for a fourth straight month to 5% in June 2026, up from 4.5% in May and above expectations of 4.7%, marking its highest level since June 2024. The increase was driven mainly by a 12.7% rise in transport costs as fuel prices surged 34.3% amid elevated global energy prices linked to the conflict with Iran. Housing and utilities rose 5.5%, food inflation edged up to 1.6%, and core inflation increased to 4.1%, its highest since September 2024, indicating broader underlying price pressures. Consumer prices rose 0.7% on the month.