The headlines of the leading newspapers on 19 March 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports Finance minister Enoch Godongwana’s decision to increase VAT by 0.5-percent cannot be tested in court before its introduction. This will have to happen after the budget is adopted.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports the liquidation application against the Kleuterzone Group of Schools has been granted and it has come to light in the High Court in Pretoria that the group owes about 130-million-rand. It was also argued that the investment scheme shows similarities to a Ponzi scheme.
Then the website writes former ambassador Douglas Gibson says Ebrahim Rasool is an embarrassment to the country and he must apologise to South Africa.
And finally, it is reported president Donald Trump has suspended the bodyguards of former president Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, and his family who are currently on holiday in South Africa.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Writes according to the WHO, eight countries, including seven in Africa, are facing an HIV treatment crisis due to funding cuts from the United States Agency for International Development. President Cyril Ramaphosa says South Africa will look to other sources for help.
And secondly, it is reported experts say that the legacy of Bantu Education still lives on in rural and township schools, creating a backlog.
# Sowetan:
Reports former SAA councillor Yakhe Kwinana has appeared in court on charges of malicious damage to property and pointing a firearm. Tenants living on her land have accused her of intimidation to collect rent.
# And The Citizen:
Writes that although the Gauteng government has submitted a budget of 527.2-billion-rand and made many promises, the DA says it will hold the government to service delivery.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports the president of the South African Chamber of Commerce in the USA, Neil Diamond, has handed over the details of about 70-thousand South Africans who have already applied for refugee status in America to the American embassy in Pretoria.
And secondly, the paper writes three bodies, including that of a baby girl, were stolen from the morgue in Kuruman in the Northern Cape.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports in the first two months of 2025, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality received 958 telephone complaints about broken street lights, but only 43 were repaired.
And secondly, the paper writes it is only a month before the national lifesaving championships are to be held at the King’s Beach Lifesaving Club, but the club is in a terrible state.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Firstly writes, two armed men shot and killed a primary school teacher in front of her learners and colleagues at the Phikiswayo Primary School in Ntuzuma, north of Durban.
And secondly, it is reported that Greytown has begun clean-up operations after flooding caused damage.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports Namibia’s uncontrolled growth of the seal population is a direct result of quota holders who only focus on harvesting bulls for their genitals.
Then the paper writes one of the last items on the agenda of the Namibian seventh Parliament is to debate the comprehensive new Land Bill today.
And finally it is reported that more widespread thunderstorms are forecast with the levels of seven dams which, according to NamWater, have risen further during the latest rainfall.