“It’s a lot for consumers to absorb on top of a 30% year-on-year increase in fuel prices, food prices going through the roof and electricity costs going up as power outages continue to batter production.

“Average South Africans aren’t seeing wage increases to keep pace with these rising prices, so people are going to accumulate more debt. It’s a vicious cycle.”

Van Reenen says there is a very real danger that the series of recent rates hikes – while coming off a very low base – will slow impetus across the property sector.

“Real estate is one of South Africa’s most robust industries right now, stimulating the economy and generating billions for the fiscus.

“As much as the Reserve Bank needs to protect the currency, it also needs to look after industries that drive the economy and look after its citizens, who have rights. Food and shelter are among them, and it’s not the government’s place to deprive people of those rights with crushing economic pressure.”

Lew Geffen Sotheby’s International Realty CEO Yael Geffen says the repo rate increase of 50 basis points is going to affect all South Africans.

“The hike wasn’t unexpected given the pressure on the economy, but it is yet another blow for consumers already battling record high fuel prices and food costs going through the roof since the Ukraine conflict began.

“South Africans are being squeezed from all sides and there just isn’t that much give in the economy.”

Geffen says with the increase now setting the prime rate at 8.25%, on a bond of R2 million (at prime) monthly home repayments will go up by more than R600.

“The housing market is still extremely buoyant, but buyers need to budget carefully. There will be at least one more rates hike this year, so purchases must be made with that in mind.

“Property is unequivocally one of the best long-term investments right now in a very uncertain world, but buy wisely and buy what you can afford. That’s how to maximise your investment in the long run.”