South Africa's national budget was postponed on Wednesday because the two biggest parties in the ruling coalition disagreed over raising value-added tax, an unprecedented delay that caused the rand and government bonds to fall.

South Africa’s finance minister is under pressure to chart an economic course that navigates the hazards unleashed by Donald Trump’s trade war.

Africa's largest economy has faced a burgeoning debt and stagnating economy that threaten to derail the country's coalition government.

South Africa's rand weakened on Wednesday, after the national budget was postponed until further notice due to disagreements within the coalition government. At 1402 GMT, the rand traded at 18.57 against the dollar,

The postponement of South Africa’s national budget vote was as much about keeping the national coalition together as it was about the unity of the African National Congress, with the finance minister now going back to the drawing board.

The African National Congress and Democratic Alliance disagree over proposed VAT increases, casting doubt on the ruling coalition's ability to govern.

South Africa's rand edged lower on Tuesday against a buoyant dollar, ahead of a highly anticipated national budget speech.