The headlines of the leading newspapers on 11 April 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the Parliamentary Budget Office, an independent body set up to analyse fiscal policy, has rejected the National Treasury’s argument for increasing VAT, saying the department is insensitive to the country’s growing inequality.
# Mail & Guardian on Fridays:
Writes the budget impasse is far from resolved and the talks are now based on frustration and anger with neither party wanting to make concessions.
And secondly, it reports on the fears that exist in the citrus export industry about Donald Trump’s tariffs.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports deputy president Paul Mashatile says the ANC leadership has decided that the government of national unity must be reconstituted. The ANC and DA are meeting on Saturday to discuss the budget impasse.
Then the website writes one of the young farmer finalists from the Free State, 36-year-old Tienie Prinsloo, says he has no intention of fleeing to America.
And finally, there is news about Stormers tighthead prop Neethling Fouché who has been suspended for four weeks. He will miss the last four matches of the United Rugby Championship.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Writes EFF MP, Carl Niehaus revealed that white monopoly capital, together with their allies within the ANC, was responsible for the assassination of SACP leader Chris Hani in 1993.
And secondly, it is reported Apple allegedly shipped 1.5-million iPhones from India to the US to avoid Trump’s tariffs.
# Sowetan:
Reports the Road Accident Fund has been given just eleven days to pay claims worth billions of rand, but a DA member of the portfolio committee on Transport says the fund does not have the money to meet its obligations.
# And The Citizen:
Leads with: “DID WE DODGE TRUMP’S BULLET?” The paper writes the question is now whether Pretoria is prepared to negotiate.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports about the double tragedy that struck Hoërskool Melkbosstrand. One of their learners, Kenako Boikanyo, died of unknown causes on Friday and the school’s principal, Danell Ross, died of a heart attack on Wednesday.
And secondly, the paper writes the judicial investigation into the death of Markus Jooste has still not been concluded after a year.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality has stopped urgent repair contracts for flood damage worth 53-million-rand after three contractors threatened to sue the metro.
And secondly, the paper writes a Bay police officer who pleaded guilty to house robbery, possession of stolen goods and possession of an unlicensed firearm during a disciplinary hearing will soon be back at work after a two-month suspension.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes controversial advocate Dali Mpofu is facing seven charges, including bringing the legal profession into disrepute, defaming people’s characters, and neglecting his duty to the court. He will appear before the disciplinary committee of the Legal Practice Council later this month.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports Osino Resources and Shanjin International’s giant gold mine development at the Twin Hills site will provide job opportunities for hundreds.
And secondly, the paper writes three suspected abalone smugglers appeared in the Karasburg Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday after allegedly smuggling abalone worth about 1.7-million-rand across the Orange River.