The headlines of the leading newspapers on 30 July 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports South Africa’s trade team is busy making a last-ditch effort before Friday’s deadline to stave off the tough 30-percent tariff on exports to the US. The paper writes the negotiations led by the minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition, Parks Tau, and the special envoy to the US, Mcebisi Jonas, are taking place under strict secrecy.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Report the assassins allegedly linked by ballistic evidence to the murders of DJ Sumbody and Armand Swart are now also linked to the murders of DJ Vintos and a businessman, Don Tindleni, according to further evidence.
Then the website writes the judicial commission of inquiry into political interference in the police will cost the taxpayer about 147-million-rand.
And finally, it is reported the Pan-African Parliament says Africa must negotiate jointly with president Donald Trump because the tariffs are harming the entire continent.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Also reports on the connection of the alleged assassins to other murders.
And writes that a 25-year-old woman from Brazil was arrested at OR Tambo Airport with cocaine worth 4.2 million rand.
# Sowetan:
Reports it has already cost 52-million-rand and taken ten years to repair a 2.8-kilometre road in Emfuleni. The task is still not completed because the latest contractors were chased away by the construction mafia. Emfuleni says it will cost another seven-million-rand to complete the project.
# And The Citizen:
Also writes about the possibility that South Africa will be able to escape America’s 30-percent tariff that comes into effect on Friday.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Leads with a conversation the newspaper had with the controversial diamond merchant, Louis Liebenberg, who is still behind bars. Liebenberg says he will call Paul Mashatile, Jacob Zuma, Juanita du Plessis, and Devon Hofmeyr as witnesses.
Then it is reported that a retired Cape mother has won the Lotto jackpot of 30-million-rand.
And finally there is news about a toddler who has bitten a cobra to death …
EASTERN CAPE:
# Daily Despatch in East London:
Reports that the abaThembu king, Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo, says he has no intention of withdrawing his attack on president Ramaphosa and the Eastern Cape Premier, Oscar Mabuyane.
And secondly, the paper writes the residents of East London say that calling the police after hours is of no use.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes KwaZulu-Natal has launched a special project to address the vaping crisis, especially among the youth.
And secondly, it is reported that there is still hope that the striking pilots of FlySafair will reach a salary agreement.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports in the first quarter of 2025, medical funds reported a combined surplus of 229.7-million-rand. This comes as patients have to make higher co-payments.
Secondly, the paper writes millions have already been spent on the state-funded retirement home of the late president Hage Geingob in Swakopmund.
And finally, it is reported that Namibia is the eighth happiest country in sub-Saharan Africa according to the World Happiness Report for 2025.