South Africa’s benchmark stock index plunged the most since the market crash of October 1997 as reaction to US measures aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus accelerated the sell-off sweeping through global equities. The FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index sank as much as 9.3% as of 3:34 p.m. in Johannesburg. Naspers, South Africa’s biggest stock, fell 7.1% to weigh heaviest on the overall market. Mining stocks plummeted 14%, set for a record decline. All but three of the benchmark’s 158 members were lower Thursday as selling by risk-averse investors spread to all sectors.
