The headlines of the leading newspapers on 26 February 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the Trump administration’s antagonistic attitude towards multilateral institutions and global climate commitments is likely to hinder South Africa’s financing of its Fair Energy Transfer Partnership. The minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, says the US is one of the largest funders.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Firstly, reports on a visit by AfriForum and Solidarity to the White House where they requested the Trump administration to put pressure on ANC leaders rather than on the country as a whole.
Then the website writes that load-shedding has been suspended.
And finally, it is reported that the first group of about 130 wounded soldiers of the SANDF has arrived in South Africa from the DRC and has been admitted to 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria. There may be more wounded on the way.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Reports the minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, says her department is dealing with an absent senior management consisting of personnel unfit for purpose.
# Sowetan:
Reports damaged infrastructure has a direct impact on learners in the North West. In the latest floods, bridges were washed away, making it almost impossible for learners to reach school. Parents are also concerned that the route they now have to take is dangerous.
# And The Citizen:
Also writes about the returning wounded soldiers but asks why the army members had to wait 30 days to receive specialised medical treatment.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Leads with the ongoing Smit murder case. The couple’s security guard, Bradley van Eysland, testified that he and the widow of murdered Stellenbosch wine farmer Stefan Smit had a sexual relationship. Suretha Smit is on trial for the murder of her husband.
And secondly, the paper reports on Barbara Griessel from Bloemfontein who received a municipal water bill of 61-million-rand.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality currently has 667 unfilled vacancies and is working to address the recruitment backlog.
And secondly, the paper writes there is alleged syndicate activity in the South African Social Security Agency. A senior manager in the Zwide office has been suspended for allegedly being absent from work for two years
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes that the Msunduzi Municipality has launched a campaign against lawbreakers.
And reports that the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal is to undergo a major restructuring.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports Namibia’s efforts to comply with international obligations to tighten measures against money laundering and illegal transactions are progressing well.
Then the paper writes the Namibia Meteorological Service has issued a weather watch for moderate to severe thunderstorms and possible flash floods in Khomas, Otjozondjupa, Omaheke and Hardap.
And finally, there is news about several organisations walking from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay on Saturday in memory of the late founding president, Sam Nujoma.