The headlines of the leading newspapers on 03 April 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the DA’s future in the government of national unity is in the balance after it voted against Finance minister Enoch Godongwana’s budget. The paper writes the party’s negotiations with the ANC are now at a standstill.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports the 30-percent tariffs that president Donald Trump has imposed on South African imports will hit the economy hard. Trump announced the tariffs on a day he labelled as the American Liberation Day.
Then the website writes DA spokesperson Willie Aucamp says the DA will soon make a decision on whether they will remain in the government of national unity. He says the party will approach the High Court in Cape Town today to challenge the approval of the budget.
And finally, there is news about Kleuterzone Operations. It appears that 10-million-rand was paid to the gambling group Peermont’s Winner’s Circle.
GAUTENG:
# Sowetan:
Reports on pastor Timothy Omotoso who was acquitted after eight years of 32 charges from rape to human trafficking. The paper writes the judge pointed out the prosecution team’s poor handling of the trial and said the cross-examination was not aimed at uncovering the truth.
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Also reports on the acquittal of Omotoso. The paper writes the legal process failed the complainants and one witness, Cheryl Zondi, collapsed in court when she heard that Omotoso was a free man.
# And The Citizen:
Writes about the South African delegation that entered into discussions with the Trump administration to clear up misunderstandings.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Also leads with Netwerk24’s story about the DA and the GNU.
And secondly, there are reports of heat waves that will make the Western Cape sweat until Sunday.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Also reports the 2025 budget has been approved, but the future of the government of national unity is uncertain.
And secondly, the paper also writes about the acquittal of Timothy Omotoso.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes that homeless people in Pietermaritzburg are demanding the shelter they were promised.
And reports about the KwaZulu-Natal businesswoman, Shauwn Mkhize, who owes the Revenue Service more than 37-million-rand in taxes.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports the new Namibian minister of Education, Sanet Steenkamp, says that the officials of her ministry must get to work full steam ahead.
And secondly, the paper writes there is a serious housing shortage in Mariental and Rehoboth.