The headlines of the leading newspapers on 08 September 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports Transnet reduced its net loss to 1.9-billion-rand for the year to the end of March by re-evaluating its properties and pipelines. However, the state-owned enterprise failed to make a profit as it had hoped a year ago. Its rail and port operations showed an improvement.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Firstly, reports on the Proteas’ one-day defeat in their final match in the series against England in Southampton. South Africa won the series, but were outscored by 342 runs at the weekend.
Then the website writes the National Sea Rescue Institute in the Western Cape had to carry out various rescue operations at the weekend during which at least one man aged 50 died and two more men were seriously injured in separate incidents.
And finally, there is rugby news about the Bok women’s 57-10 defeat against France in the World Cup tournament. South Africa will now face the formidable Kiwi team on Saturday.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Writes the National Prosecuting Authority will oppose the application by deputy president Paul Mashatile’s bodyguards to withdraw the charges of assault and malicious damage to property against them after they were acquitted in an internal investigation. Eight members of the VIP protection unit are facing 12 charges of assault, malicious damage to property, pointing a firearm, contravening the Road Traffic Act, reckless and negligent driving and defeating the purpose of justice.
# Sowetan:
Reports unions say the current retrenchments in the steel and automotive industries are just the beginning and will destroy the country’s economy and threaten people’s livelihoods. They say the government must intervene now before it is too late.
# And The Citizen:
Writes a growing number of Johannesburg residents are winning the court battle against the municipality over incorrect municipal accounts.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports on the assassination of insolvency practitioner Bouwer van Niekerk of Johannesburg. His killers posed as clients on Friday and shot and killed him in the practice’s boardroom before fleeing. Police say they do not yet have any information about suspects.
And secondly, the paper writes the African Transformation Forum has called on the government to declare teenage pregnancy a national pandemic.
EASTERN CAPE:
# Daily Despatch in East London:
Reports Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane says the 2026 local government elections are make or break for the ANC.
And secondly, the paper writes the release of land for a nursing home in Beacon Bay has been approved.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes many elderly retirees are dying before they receive their pension benefits.
And reports on the Italian teenager, Carlo Acutis, who was named the Catholic Church’s first saint for the millennium.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports while stricter measures to combat foot-and-mouth disease are being implemented at border posts, cattle are still moving unhindered across the Orange River.
And secondly, the paper writes according to Telecom Namibia, WiMAX services will not be suspended without notice.