South Africa's headline consumer inflation rose less than expected in December, to 3.0% year on year from 2.9% in November, data from the statistics agency showed on Wednesday. In month-on-month terms inflation was at 0.

The South African Reserve Bank has cut rates by 25 basis points in line with expectations, but there are fears over a potential global trade war.

Inflation came in lower than expected for December, with another interest rate cut next week now seen as likely.

South African businesses and households were hit by scheduled power cuts for the first time in 10 months on Friday due to breakdowns at state power utility Eskom's coal-fired power stations.