Johannesburg temperature hits record high as drought persists

South Africa's financial hub Johannesburg hit a record temperature of 37 degrees Celsius on Thursday, the South African Weather Service said, as a drought persisted in Africa's largest producer of maize.

The previous record of 36.5 degrees Celsius was recorded in November 2015, the weather service said.

Temperatures in the capital Pretoria equalled a record high of 41 degrees Celsius with the latest rolling heat wave to scorch South Africa expected to last until Friday.

"The temperature in Johannesburg reached 37 degrees and is expected to rise further today," South African Weather Service forecaster Madimetja Thema told Reuters.