The Rand has fallen to a new 13-year low.
The rand hit a session trough of 12.31 to the dollar during the past 24 hours, the weakest it has been since January 2002.
Sharenet reports that the rand has lost more than 8% since its February high of 11.25 to the dollar, with investors dumping high-yielding but riskier emerging market assets in favour of the green back.
The online financial news outlet says due to South Africa's nagging deficits on its budget and current account, and structural impediments to economic growth - including chronic electricity shortages, the local unit tends to be hit hard whenever global risk appetite turns sour.
