The headlines of the leading newspapers on 25 April 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the dramatic U-turn by Finance minister Enoch Godongwana to scrap the VAT increase has left a big hole in the country’s finances, but may have averted the collapse of the government of national unity.
# Mail & Guardian on Fridays:
Leads with: “NO VALUE ADDED”. The paper reports the VAT debacle has left the Finance minister under pressure, the DA flexible and the coalition shaky. And there is still a 75-billion-rand bill to be paid.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports the smaller parties in the government of national unity are now leading an attack to remove the DA from the coalition. They say the DA wanted to bully the government during the VAT negotiations and neither the DA nor the EFF can claim to have averted the VAT increase.
Then the paper writes president Cyril Ramaphosa’s conversation with president Donald Trump before the visit of president Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine is described as a breakthrough.
And finally there is news about the Bulls’ chances against Glasgow.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Firstly, also writes about the conversation between Ramaphosa and Trump.
And secondly, it is reported ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula doubts the shooting incident on deputy president Paul Mashatile’s motorcade.
# Sowetan:
Reports the employees of Mafoko Security have achieved a major victory in court after it was decided that the assets of the company can be seized to ensure that pension contributions are paid.
# And The Citizen:
Leads with: “HOW DO YOU FILL A R75BN HOLE”. The paper looks at the options now available to the government of national unity.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Has the same lead as Netwerk24 about the government of national unity.
And secondly, it is reported that 60-year-old Amanda Jonker has died and 58-year-old Kobus Aggenbacht has been declared brain dead after an unknown man randomly attacked people in Milnerton with scissors on Wednesday.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports private security companies in Nelson Mandela Bay are strongly opposed to the new regulations that restrict and endanger the industry.
And secondly, the newspaper writes South African music legend, 82-year-old Letta Mbulu, has been honoured with an honorary doctorate by the Nelson Mandela University.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes former president Jacob Zuma’s fight to have all charges against him dropped continues. He is relying on the fact that two witnesses have already passed away.
And reports that there is widespread relief over the withdrawal of the VAT increase.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s announcement during her first state of the nation address that tertiary education will be fully subsidised by the government from the next academic year has drawn mixed reactions.
And secondly, the paper writes the Namibia Training Authority is suing the City of Windhoek for 51-million-rand’s unpaid levies for vocational education and training.
Newspaper Report will be back on Tuesday 29 April.