"The consumer price index increased by 0,5% month-on-month in September 2018. Annual inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages increased to 3,9% in September 2018 from 3,5% in August 2018," Statistics SA said in a statement. 

"Month-on-month increases were recorded for sugar, sweets and desserts (4,5%), vegetables (0,9%), milk, eggs and cheese (0,8%), oils and fats (0,8%), hot beverages (0,8%) and bread and cereals (0,5%).

"Month-on-month decreases were recorded for fruit (-1,3%) and meat (-0,6%). The annual rate for housing and utilities was unchanged at 5,3% in September 2018." 

The statement said the index increased by 0,8% month-on-month, mainly due to increases in actual rentals for housing (1,4%) and owners’ equivalent rent (1,2%). 

"In September the CPI for goods increased by 4,8% year-on-year (down from 5,0% in August), and the CPI for services increased by 5,2% year-on-year (up from 5,0% in August)," said Statistics SA.

"Provincial annual inflation rates ranged from 3,9% in Limpopo to 5,6% in Western Cape." 

African News Agency (ANA)