The headlines of the leading newspapers on 17 July 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports president Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa and the US have begun discussions aimed at reducing a looming 30-percent tariff on South African exports. The paper writes, however, that the government is busy formulating plans to protect businesses and labour from the high tariffs when they come into effect on August 1st.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Leads with the same topic as Business Day. Ramaphosa criticised those in Parliament who portray South Africa in a bad light abroad.
Secondly, there is news about a raid at Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town where cellphones, TV sets, and KFC chicken were seized.
And finally, there is a report about a man from Green Point in Cape Town, Xanpher Krige, who jumped in with a garden hose when his neighbour’s house caught fire.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Reports the minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, after her statement about a coup, assured South Africans that the country is safe and ruled out the possibility of unrest.
# Sowetan:
Reports DA Foreign Affairs spokesperson Emma Powell, who released the information about South African envoy Mcebisi Jonas, is accused of an anti-South African campaign.
# And The Citizen:
Writes although there may be no immediate threat of a coup in the country, South Africa is sitting on a powder keg of poverty, inequality and unemployment.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports the Presidency’s casual statement on the possibility of a coup in South Africa has been described as shocking by many experts. The general feeling is that there should now be transparency about the statement.
And secondly, the paper writes about the possible strike of FlySafair pilots that could affect up to 150 flights per day. However, the airline says there is no conclusion yet on a planned strike for next week.
EASTERN CAPE:
# Daily Despatch in East London:
Reports that numerous ANC meetings have ended in chaos and now have to be rescheduled.
And secondly, reports there are reports of violent protests after the Buffalo City Municipality cut off illegal power connections.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes there are plans to land more flights in Pietermaritzburg.
And writes about the USA sending criminals to Eswatini.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports the Namibian defence force has confirmed that its fuel supply contract with the struggling Enercon Namibia is no longer in force, following the company’s financial collapse. He now gets fuel from August 26.
And secondly, the newspaper writes that farmers and community members handed over a petition to the Circuit Court in Aroab when 19-year-old Joslen Jean Otto appeared on charges of rape, theft, and obstruction of justice.