Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 19 July 2024:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports president Cyril Ramaphosa said during the opening of Parliament last night the government wants to expand the basket of essential food items exempt from VAT and review controlled prices. According to Ramaphosa, this includes the fuel price formula.

# Mail & Guardian on Fridays:

Leads with: “GAS (LIGHTING)” The paper writes the power struggle for environmental activism is only about to begin.

GAUTENG:

# Beeld:

Reports Ramaphosa said in his opening speech the government of national unity will focus on economic growth for the next five years. He says the GNU must work because it is an opportunity for South Africans who work together to make a success.

And secondly, the paper writes the accused in the Jacques Freitag murder case appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court. The former lovers, Rudie Lubbe and Chantelle Oosthuizen will remain in custody while the police investigation continues.

# The Star and Pretoria News:

Writes Ramaphosa has admitted that the country has failed under his presidency.

And secondly, reports the driver of the bakkie in the accident in which 12 people died in Carletonville, Gert van Emmenis, has been released on bail.

# And Sowetan:

Leads with: “TRUST US TO FIX IT”. The paper also reports on the opening of Parliament and writes the DA even applauded Ramaphosa when he promised to rebuild South Africa’s cities, lower the cost of living, and create jobs.

FREE STATE:

# Volksblad in Bloemfontein:

Has the same front page as Beeld.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Also leads with Ramaphosa’s speech and has the same lead as Beeld and Volksblad.

Secondly, the paper writes the police in Gauteng are investigating claims by the brothers Omari and Alli Mustafa who escaped from the Meyerton police cells after apparently turning into cats.

# And Cape Times:

Writes the DA is now apparently ready to defend Ramaphosa’s Phala Phala issue.

And reports the future of the controversial Bela Amendment Act is uncertain.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports everything is on track at the Beijing Auto Industrial Corporation SA plant in Coega, but management has halted full-scale production for the time being until demand necessitates it.

And secondly, the paper writes Nelson Mandela Bay’s post offices are plagued by a wave of crime so bad that several branches have been forced to close.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# Daily News in Durban:

Writes the city manager of eThekwini, Musa Mbhele has pledged to eradicate fraud and corruption in the city.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports several opposition parties have criticised the Electoral Commission of Namibia for how the registration of voters and the preparations for the election on 27 November are handled.

And secondly, the paper writes commissioner Nelius Becker of the National Forensic Science Institute of Namibia testified in the High Court in the murder trial in which three Zimbabweans are on trial for the murder of the nine-year-old Akundaishe Chipomho.