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South Africa's rand weaker on firm dollar, finmin woes

South African bank notes featuring images of former South African President Nelson Mandela (R) are displayed next to the American dollar notes in this photo illustration in Johannesburg August 13 2014. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's rand weakened against the U.S. dollar in early trade on Tuesday, weighed down by a firm greenback and continued concerns that the finance minister could be facing imminent arrest. * At 0640 GMT, the rand traded at 14.4500 per dollar, 0.24percent weaker from its New York close on Monday. * Rand weighed down by lingering uncertainty over whetherFinance Minister Pravin Gordhan faces arrest. * Investors eyeing U.S. jobs data on Friday, withexpectations of an increase in numbers, plumping speculationthat an interest rate hike could follow good numbers. * U.S. personal income and real consumption figures for Julyto be released on Tuesday. * Government bonds yields rise, with the 2026 benchmarkadding 3 basis points to 9.040 percent. (Reporting by Zimasa Mpemnyama; Editing by James Macharia)