Interest rates on hold at 5%

The prime lending rate stays at 8.5%.

The Sarb trimmed its 2012 growth forecast to 2.6% in September from 2.7%, citing weak global growth and disruptions to mining output during wage strikes that began in August and have only recently been resolved.

Consumer inflation also accelerated to 5.6% year-on-year in October from 5.5% in September, edging towards the top end of the Sarb's 3% to 6% target band.

Although the monetary policy committee (MPC) opted to leave rates unchanged in September after a surprise 50 basis-point cut in July, Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus said another cut had been discussed.

She has since curbed expectations, however, by stressing that a cut was not automatic, and a sharply weaker currency since the September policy meeting will have raised the red flag on inflation.

Marcus said on Thursday that the global economic outlook had deteriorated since the last MPC meeting. The prospects for emerging markets had also deteriorated in the last months, she said.

"The inflation forecast of the bank reflects a deterioration in inflation outlook for 2013 compared with the previous forecast.

"Inflation is now expected to average 5.6% in the final quarter of 2012 and 5.6% for the year. It is expected to average 5.5% in 2013 and 5% in 2014 with a peak of 5.7% expected in the first quarter of 2013," Marcus said.

Rand poses inflation risk  

She said primarily the rand had been influenced by external factors, but more recently domestic factors such as the mining unrest have had an impact on the local unit.

The rand had depreciated by 6.7% against the dollar since the last policy meeting, Marcus said.

"The rand is expected to remain sensitive to both unfolding domestic economic and political developments in addition to global risk perception.

"However, the rand is expected to remain volatile as subject to overshooting."

On domestic growth, Marcus said the outlook had deteriorated, largely as a result of the continued global slowdown and aggravated by domestic events.

"Mining output has declined significantly as a result of work stoppages and there are likely to be longer-term implications for output, export and employment as the mines adjust to higher labour costs.

"In the light of these factors, the MPC is of the view that the current accommodative stance remains appropriate and has therefore decided to keep the repurchase rate unchanged at 5.0% per annum," Marcus said.

She added the MPC will monitor developments closely, and will not hesitate to act in a manner consistent with its mandate.