The headlines of the leading newspapers on 18 March 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports households with low monthly electricity consumption could bear the brunt of Eskom’s tariff increases, as their bills are expected to increase by as much as 37-percent from April 1. This is despite energy regulator Nersa capping the average increase in Eskom tariffs at 12.74-percent.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports president Cyril Ramaphosa referred to the expulsion of Ebrahim Rasool as ambassador to the US as a hitch that can be ironed out. He says he is waiting for Rasool’s full report when he returns.
Secondly, the website writes the FW de Klerk Foundation has released a report on human rights and that most rights in the country have either deteriorated or remained constant since 2023.
And finally, it reports on the two Nasa astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who are finally returning home after nine months.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Writes Johannesburg residents are increasingly complaining about the activities of a syndicate that is carrying out fake search warrants and false arrests. A growing number of local residents are coming forward to share their alarming experiences. This suggests that some members of the South African Police Service are carrying out false arrests.
# Sowetan:
Reports it is increasingly happening that residents of rural settlements are intervening to improve their living conditions where municipalities are failing. In Limpopo, residents of two settlements rebuilt a bridge and in Mpumalanga, a man used his road accident fund payout to install drinking water for his community.
# And The Citizen:
Writes the minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube says the government must realise that they are not up to the task and that everyone must work together to help children in poor areas.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Also leads with Ramaphosa’s reaction to Rasool’s eviction.
And secondly, the paper reports on the report on the collapse of the building in George in which 34 people died. According to the report, many procedures were not followed.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports the High Court has ordered the Eastern Cape Department of Education to advertise all vacant positions in the media from now on.
And writes about 23-year-old Lesedi Manala, whose parents from Pretoria are supporting her at her bedside in hospital. She was seriously injured when a taxi ploughed into a group of students at Nelson Mandela University.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes the manufacturer of aluminium sheet and foil products, Hulamin, is expanding its interests in Pietermaritzburg.
And reports the Ithala Group is urgently looking for funds.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports the parliamentary committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs has requested the ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs to extend the Veterans Act to the benefit of adult children of the liberation struggle.
Secondly, the paper writes the director-general of the Namibian broadcaster, NBC, is suing a parliamentary committee over a flawed report on human resources.
And finally, it is reported that the country’s largest diamond miner, Debmarine Namibia, has reported a six-billion-rand drop in profits due to a falling demand for natural diamonds for jewellery.