The headlines of the leading newspapers on 16 October 2024:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports president Cyril Ramaphosa has doubted for the second time the signing of the Copyright Amendment Bill and the Performing Artists Protection Amendment Bill and has referred them to the Constitutional Court for review.
GAUTENG:
# Beeld:
Firstly, focusses on the proposed transaction between the South African Rugby Union and the American investor, Ackerley Sports Group, which is criticised from many quarters. Allegations about a huge commission payment to a company of which the former Formula One team owner, Eddie Jordan is the chairman, have caused red lights to flash.
Then the paper writes thunderstorms in the north of the country have brought much-needed relief, but this will probably be the only rain this area will receive for a while.
And finally, there is news about 57-year-old Alison Botha, who survived a horrific attack in Gqeberha 30 years ago. She is currently recovering in a hospital after a brain aneurysm.
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Writes three men from Soweto who lured and robbed their unsuspecting victims on the dating app Grindr are applying for bail.
And reports that the Gauteng premier, Panyaza Lesufi told the DA that he has nothing to hide.
# Sowetan:
Reports on secret talks the newspaper attended with a suspected scammer during which intimidation and threats were used to provide protection for a building project of the Tshwane University of Technology. The newspaper writes that Eric Thokwana has previous court orders against him for threatening businesses and workers.
# And The Citizen:
Writes about former president Thabo Mbeki’s report in which he finds that the complaints of racism at Pretoria Girls High were fabricated by the Gauteng Department of Education to put the school in a bad light.
FREE STATE:
# Volksblad in Bloemfontein:
Reports a first-year student from the North-West University’s Potchefstroom campus, Jessica McGowan, died suddenly after being diagnosed with infectious meningitis at the weekend.
And secondly, the paper also reports on the Saru deal.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Has the same lead as Beeld on the Saru deal.
Then it is reported the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy rejected the application of a company that wanted to prospect for gold outside Napier in the Overberg.
And finally, the paper writes the French and Italian police raided a syndicate that committed wine fraud by sticking false labels on bottles.
# And Cape Times:
Writes the minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube undertakes to put the teacher dismissals on hold.
And reports the battle to find a successor to Ramaphosa has already begun.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports suspended Nelson Mandela Bay city manager Noxolo Nqwazi is willing to negotiate a settlement agreement to vacate her post.
And secondly, the paper writes Maurice Butlion of Gqeberha argued that the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, unemployment, and the prospect of financial ruin convinced him to kill his mother who was diagnosed with cancer.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# Daily News in Durban:
Writes a positive report on eThekwini’s financial prospects has been criticised from many quarters.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports pastors and other church members are increasingly involved in incidents of rape and murder nationwide, with especially numerous incidents in the northern regions.
Then the paper writes despite the guarantee of 1.2-billion-rand provided by the government earlier this year, the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia still faces financial risk.
And finally, there is news about the Namibian singer Landi Bonthuys who made a name for herself in America with a prise at the Texas Sounds International Country Music Awards.