Credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s (S&P) has downgraded South Africa‘s rating to BB+ -status, as the country’s currency continued to slide following a major cabinet reshuffle according to Africa Business Center.
In an unscheduled review that prompted a sell-off in South African assets, S&P cited the impact of divisions in the government of President Jacob Zuma that led to leadership changes, including the departure of former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan.
“This has increased the likelihood that economic growth and fiscal outcomes could suffer,” said S&P, which cut its rating by one notch to BB+ – its highest non-investment grade mark – and also assigned Africa’s most industrialised economy a negative outlook.
