Economists polled by Reuters had forecast annual inflation would slow to 2.9%, just below the bottom of the SA Reserve Bank's 3% to 6% target range.

The central bank last month left its main lending rate unchanged after three consecutive rate cuts, citing risks stemming from United States President Donald Trump's global trade war and the country's disputed national budget.

In month-on-month terms, inflation was 0.4% in March, down from 0.9% in February.

--Reuters--