CPI increases to 7.1%

JOHANNESBURG - Inflation has risen again, making it difficult for the Reserve Bank to end its rate hike cycle.

Food inflation spiked once more in the latest index, this time by 14 percent.

READ: CPI rises to 7% in February

It takes the headline consumer inflation figure to 7.1 percent in March from 7 percent.

Higher inflation supports the case for the central bank to increase interest rates.

It also makes wage negotiations more challenging as unions tend to up their demands.