Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 18 February 2025:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe says South Africa could turn to Russia or Iran to expand its nuclear power capacity. Analysts say this stance could deepen the rift with the US and further delay the renewal of a strategic energy treaty.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports a 35-year-old father from Durbanville who allegedly stabbed his two-year-old son with a knife has been released on bail of two-thousand-rand without the knowledge of the child’s mother.

Then the website writes that the Dennedorp rugby residence of the North-West University in Potchefstroom will be named after Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi.

And finally, it is reported the Maties defeated the Shimlas 41-37 in their first Varsity Cup match of the season.

GAUTENG:

# The Star & Pretoria News:

Writes the MK Party has challenged former president Thabo Mbeki to a debate over his allegations that former president Jacob Zuma was a spy for the apartheid government during his imprisonment on Robben Island.

And secondly, the paper reports there are doubts whether the VBS Mutual Bank fraud and corruption trial against 13 accused will continue this year as two applications have to be filed in the Court of Appeal and applications may also be lodged with the Constitutional Court.

# Sowetan:

Reports further on the controversial insurance murder case. It emerged in court that 1.2-million-rand was spent on land and expensive cars within ten months. The investigating officer in the case also received 30-thousand-rand.

# And The Citizen:

Leads with: “BUDGET: WEALTH TAX ON THE CARDS?” The paper asks whether the government will target the rich to fill its 22-billion-rand deficit.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports it emerged in the murder case of Stellenbosch wine farmer Stefan Smit that his wife Zurenah, who is on trial for the murder, allegedly changed his mother’s will so that she would inherit everything.

And secondly, the paper writes about 74-year-old Louis Massyn from George who will be participating in his 50th Comrades Marathon this year.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports with two years to go until the ANC’s provincial conference in the Eastern Cape, the campaigns for the leadership election are already underway. The candidates are the provincial secretary, Lulama Ngcukayitobi and the current premier, Oscar Mabuyane, who is reportedly considering a third term.

And secondly, the paper writes a dispute over cooking equipment has caused chaos at the Elizabeth Donkin Hospital in Gqeberha, with patients complaining that they have been without proper food for about two weeks.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes there are fears that sales tax will be increased in the minister of Finance’s budget tomorrow.

And secondly, the paper reports residents are planning to protest against increased tariffs.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Report the City of Windhoek has begun cracking down on illegal water connections and land occupations in Groot Aub where the settlement is facing serious water shortages.

And secondly, there is a report about the good rainfall that fell over Namibia during January.