Five important things happening in South Africa in the next week

The next seven days promises both good and bad news for South Africans. Here are five things to look out for:

1. INTEREST RATE HIKE

Economists and analysts believe South Africans should brace themselves for yet another interest rate hike on Thursday, 30 March.

A hike of 25 basis points is widely expected when Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago makes the announcement.

Such a hike would take the repo rate to 7.5% and the prime lending rate to 11%.

Tighten those wallets, South Africans!

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2. OSCAR PISTORIUS OUT ON PAROLE?

Oscar Pistorius might be released from prison on Friday, 31 March, a decade after he killed his girlfriend in a crime that gripped the world.

A parole board will decide whether Pistorius should be let out early having served more than half his 13 years and five months murder sentence.

Pistorius, who is now 36, shot dead girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in the early hours of Valentine’s Day in 2013 when he fired four times through the bathroom door of his Pretoria home.

Steenkamp’s mother June will attend the hearing and argue against Pistorius being freed.

What do YOU think should happen? Have your say in our POLL

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3. MAMELODI SUNDOWNS CROWNED CHAMPIONS

Mamelodi Sundowns can clinch a sixth consecutive PSL top-flight title this weekend – without even kicking a ball in league action!

Masandawana only need closest rivals SuperSport United to draw – or lose – away to Chippa United on Saturday, 1 April at 17:30 to be crowned champions – AGAIN.

Mamelodi Sundowns will know whether they’ll be champions before kick-off in their CAF Champions League home tie against Cameroon side Coton Sport on Saturday at 21:00.

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4. SASSA GRANT PAYMENTS

SASSA grants will be paid next week from Tuesday, April 4 to Thursday, 6 April.

Those eligible for Older Person’s grants can collect on the Tuesday, with Disability grants collectable next Wednesday.

All other grants will be paid from Thursday, 6 April – just in time for the long Easter weekend.

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5. FUEL PRICE DROP?

The next fuel price change will come into effect from 00:01 on Wednesday, 5 April.

At the time of publishing, diesel car owners should have reason to smile with a decrease in price of around 71 cents per litre on the cards.

The news isn’t as good for petrol drivers.

A decrease of a couple of cents – or no change at all – appears most likely thanks to the high oil price.

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