Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 07 January 2025:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports steel giant ArcelorMittal SA is proceeding with the closure of its long steel plant, which is putting about three-thousand-500 direct and indirect jobs across Gauteng, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal at risk. The move is particularly worrying for residents of the KwaZulu-Natal town of Newcastle.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports motorists will continue to be exposed to heavy rainfall and dangerous road conditions this week and the rain is only expected to subside by Thursday.

Then the paper writes that thousands of Johannesburg residents are without power due to the inclement weather.

And finally, it is reported the police have expressed its anger after the murder of two Free State police officers. The members were shot dead in Namahadi in Qwaqwa.

GAUTENG:

# The Star & Pretoria News:

Writes the CFO of the Department of Public Works was allegedly caught with 680-thousand-rand in his car. The report appears to refer to an arrest in 2023.

# Sowetan:

Reports about the Tshwane management members who were suspended over the Rooiwal project tenders. The paper writes those who promoted the tenders of controversial businessman Edwin Sodi are returning to work.

# And The Citizen:

Writes while there is global concern about the Chinese metapneumovirus, which shows the same symptoms as Covid, the South African government says it is prepared for any outbreak.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Firstly reports about the suspected drowning of 16-year-old Neo September from Elsiesriver in the sea at Langebaan. September has been missing for four days but the search continues.

And secondly, there is news about the ex-wife of former Pakistani prime minister, Imran Kahn. Gemima Goldsmith says she tripped on Lion’s Head and broke her leg.

# And Cape Times:

Writes about the horrific accident at Van Reenen’s Pass last night in which 18 people including five children died. A truck, a car and a minibus taxi were involved in the accident.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports Brighton Beach in Gqeberha has according to a recent marine water quality report, pollution levels that are alarmingly high, while two other beaches require monitoring.

And secondly, the paper writes at least 20 seagull chicks were beaten to death with sticks by young holidaymakers camping near the Gamtoos River mouth.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes the police task force in KwaZulu-Natal has been disbanded.

And reports flooding has caused traffic chaos in the province.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports the Hardap Dam has benefited the most from the heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, about one-thousand-two-hundred people in Windhoek have been left homeless after flooding.

Then the paper writes the police removed occupiers from the premises of the Daure Daman Traditional Authority in Uis at the weekend.

And finally, a public policy analyst is reported to believe that the visit to Namibia by the Chinese minister of Foreign Affairs presents a golden opportunity for the country.