Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 18 December 2025:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports mining stocks’ record trading saw the JSE close just short of an all-time high amid volatile US markets. Platinum stocks led the charge with a rise of more than 12-percent in a week.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports the US and South Africa are butting heads again after the Department of Home Affairs detained seven Kenyan citizens who were working at the Afrikaner refugee resettlement centre in South Africa on tourist visas. The Kenyans have since left the country, but the US is seeking an explanation.

The website then writes nearly two-thousand-700 motorists have been arrested on South African roads since December 1. A total of one-thousand-500 of the arrests were for drunk driving.

And finally, it is reported dense fog has ruined the Proteas’ chances in the T20 series against India.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Writes the MK Party has requested that the head of the National Prosecuting Authority, Shamila Batohi’s alleged role in the murder of 16-year-old Kwazi Ndlovu during a police operation in KwaZulu-Natal in 2010 be investigated.

And secondly, it is reported the Gauteng authorities have declared 64 minibus taxis unroadworthy.

# And The Citizen:

Leads with: “OUR RIVERS ARE SEWERS”. The paper writes a survey shows that a third of the drinking water supply from rivers contains E.coli. This is seen as a greater threat than load-shedding to the South African society.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Has the same lead as Netwerk24 about the dispute between the USA and South Africa over the arrest of the Kenyans.

And secondly, the paper writes the City of Cape Town has removed all Christian references from its Christmas lights.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports eight people have been shot dead in the Walmer township in the past three days, and the community is living in fear.

And secondly, the paper writes Eastern Cape families will receive financial support for the uMgidi initiation celebrations.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes the preliminary report on the Verulam temple disaster has been released and it contains serious allegations about the use of poor building materials.

And secondly, it is reported that the Msunduzi Municipality will review its financial plan.

And finally, from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports the debt to NamWater, which is now around three-billion-rand, poses a serious threat to national water security.

Then the paper writes there is a deafening silence at government level on whether Starlink will make its debut in Namibia next year or not.

And finally, it is reported the Tsumeb Municipality shorts three-million-rand to begin operations at their newly completed water treatment plant.