The headlines of the leading newspapers on 17 April 2026:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the liquidation of Tongaat Hulett has been postponed for the time being after the Industrial Development Corporation made 200-million-rand available to block the liquidation application.
# Mail & Guardian:
Writes about the sentencing of EFF leader Julius Malema yesterday. The paper reports Malema is still a free man, but that may not last long.
# Die Papier:
Also leads with Malema. The paper reports the five-year sentence that Malema received is a clear message that no one is above the law. There is also news about the impact of the sentence on the EFF’s future. Experts believe that the party is already on a downward trajectory.
And secondly, the paper writes an impeccable source in the Trump administration says that the appointment of Roelf Meyer as South Africa’s ambassador to America is already being seen in a positive light. The source says that the USA wants to strengthen the GNU and not alienate black people.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports on the events outside the court after Malema’s sentencing. Malema said, among other things, that magistrate Twanet Olivier is probably a member of AfriForum and that larger forces were working against him behind the scenes. The paper writes there were no incidents of violence among Malema’s supporters outside the court.
And secondly, the website writes about the performance of 22-year-old swimmer, Aimee Canny, at the South African Swimming Championships where she won four titles and qualified for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Firstly writes, according to the paper, Malema’s son, Ratanang, said after his father’s sentence, magistrate Olivier was a supreme racist. He also lashed out against Afrikaans and FW de Klerk.
And secondly, it is reported that the MK Party rejected the appointment of Roelf Meyer.
# Sowetan:
Leads with: “JU JU’S FREEDOM FIGHT”. The paper reports according to experts, Malema will fight an uphill battle to escape his five-year sentence. There is also news about the protests after the verdict.
# And The Citizen:
Asks what lies ahead for Malema now. The paper writes both the leader of the EFF and his party are at a turning point and he will have to make careful decisions.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Has the same lead as Netwerk24 about Malema’s sentencing. The paper reports about Malema’s plans should he have to serve prison time immediately. Everything was already in place to bring an urgent court application.
And secondly, the paper writes cool, wet and windy weather will prevail over large parts of the Western Cape this weekend.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports the lawyer accused of fraud, Mava Malla, has been arrested in Nxuba [Cradock] after she disappeared from the Gqeberha court.
And secondly, the paper writes the Aspen employees whose jobs are at risk say they feel the pharmaceutical company does not care about them.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes the popular mayor of uMngeni, Chris Pappas, will not be running for re-election in the election later this year. He reportedly wants to leave politics. Pappas denied that this is related to any conflict in the DA.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports the takeover of the Namibian Health Plan’s administration by Universal Healthcare of South Africa is not going smoothly. It is taking a long time for members to obtain authorisation, and some members have had to pay for services themselves.
And secondly, the paper writes a bus full of government patients ran out of fuel on the way to Windhoek.