The headlines of the leading newspapers on 14 March 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports ANC policy forms the core of its battle with the DA over VAT. This follows after the ANC rejected the DA’s proposal to amend the Expropriation Act and the National Health Insurance Act in exchange for the party’s support of the budget.
# Mail & Guardian on Fridays:
Leads with: “THE TAX BATTLE ISN’T OVER”. The paper writes the issue of VAT will now be further discussed in Parliament’s portfolio committees.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports experts are of the opinion that South Africa should have withdrawn from the DRC long ago. This follows after the SADC decided to gradually begin the withdrawal of its member countries’ troops.
Then the website writes two vehicles were swept away by floodwaters in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal last night. At present, there is no information about the occupants. The Weather Service has predicted more rain.
And finally, it is reported that the European Union will invest 94-billion-rand in South Africa as a countermeasure to president Donald Trump’s funding freeze.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Writes a senior fellow at the conservative Hudson Institute, Joshua Meservey, has proposed a controversial strategy for the US to address South Africa’s growing anti-US sentiment. According to the paper, Meservey suggests that the US should target specific ANC officials responsible for these actions.
And secondly, the paper reports the City of Johannesburg yesterday approved its revised budget for the 2024/25 financial year amid protests and widespread discontent over the 230-rand electricity surcharge on prepaid customers.
# Sowetan:
Reports the Ditsobotla municipality in the North West has collapsed and it seems that no one at the provincial level really cares.
# And The Citizen:
Writes the minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana may have to rewrite the budget again if the DA does not agree to the VAT increase.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports that the Kleuterzone Group of Schools is now collapsing like a house of cards. One of the group’s investors has filed a sequestration application with the High Court in Pretoria.
And secondly, the paper writes about former banker Jacques Pretorius who is charged with the murder of his wife Sheri-Ann. According to information that is now coming to light, the couple was apparently very unhappy.
And finally, there is news about marijuana cookies.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports a Nelson Mandela Bay ward councillor, Mpumelelo Majola, was arrested by traffic officers yesterday, but he was later released and taken to hospital.
And secondly, the paper writes sardine and anchovy trawlers are no longer allowed to fish in African penguin breeding colonies.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes the MK party has won a crucial by-election in Richmond in a ward that was previously an ANC seat.
And secondly, the paper reports the government of national unity is “on the rocks” over the VAT dispute.
And finally, from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports the government’s mouthpiece, the New Era Publication Corporation, is struggling to settle its tax debts, despite its government subsidy.
Then the paper writes according to the new visa policy for tourists, more entry points have been added.
And finally, there is news about the ongoing search for the 83-year-old Swiss tourist who has been missing in the Sesriem area since Sunday.