The headlines of the leading newspapers on 02 July 2026:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports South32 is selling the Richards Bay aluminium smelter as part of a R92-billion-rand deal. The American firm Alcoa Corporation will now take control of the Hillside smelter, the only primary aluminium smelter in South Africa and the largest in the southern hemisphere.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports SALGA is concerned about the further roll-out of the Aarto Act as it will put unprecedented pressure on struggling municipalities.
And secondly, the website writes the municipal manager of Madibeng, Quiet Kgatla, was shot in his car on the R-511 outside Brits yesterday afternoon. He was not seriously injured.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Writes president Cyril Ramaphosa has received the long-awaited Nkabinde report of investigation into the suitability of the South Gauteng director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Andrew Chauke. The paper reports this is a major milestone in a process that has dragged on for almost a year.
# And Sowetan:
Reports Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi says the reason for the low arrest rate for the frequent shooting incidents in the province can be attributed to the lack of eyewitnesses. Anti-crime activists, however, say that people do not trust the police.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Firstly reports, the DA has requested an investigation after former president Jacob Zuma was supported by the South African high commissioner on a visit to India when he met Ajay Gupta.
Secondly there is news about a foreign citizen who would rather stay with his dog than leave the country.
And finally, there is news about the police in Australia investigating the possibility that a suspect arrested for the murder of a 17-year-old girl could also be involved in other murders.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports tempers have flared again in Kuyga, west of Gqeberha, after the anti-migrant protest in the area.
And secondly, the newspaper writes the World Lifesaving Championships, which will take place in Gqeberha in November, could be in jeopardy as the renovation of the Newton Park swimming pool, which was supposed to be completed by the end of July, has not yet started.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Firstly, also writes about Zuma’s controversial visit to India.
And secondly, there is a report about local Zimbabwean refugees who have taken shelter in the open air in a temporary camp in Havelock Avenue. They are now being moved to a shelter.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports opposition leaders have accused the government of asking lawmakers to approve nominees for the Electoral Commission of Namibia without providing the necessary documentation.
And secondly, the paper writes that a delayed government subsidy is causing the Uvhungu Vhungu green scheme in Kavango East’s maize to lie unharvested on the fields and lose value.