The headlines of the leading newspapers on 29 April 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the abolition of the VAT increase paves the way for the Treasury to compile a third budget for the 2025/26 financial year, with the DA expected to increase pressure on the department to implement its budget priorities.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Firstly, reports about the devastating fire that broke out in the Table Mountain National Park and has now spread to Noordhoek and Kalk Bay. Fire crews worked through the night, but the fire in Tokai is still not under control.
Secondly, the website writes about the massive power outage that paralysed Spain and Portugal.
And finally, there is news about the residents of Bloemhof and Christiana who are tensely waiting to see how far the Vaal River will rise.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Writes EFF president Julius Malema has joined the chorus demanding that Godongwana and his director general, Duncan Pieterse, resign over the VAT debacle.
# Sowetan:
Reports the police have expanded their search to other provinces after the mysterious disappearance of constables Linda Cebekhulu, Keamogetse Buys, and Boipelo Senoge.
# And The Citizen:
Leads with: “NOW FOR THE NEW BUDGET”. The paper writes the minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, must do the sums from scratch.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Has the same lead as Netwerk24 about the Table Mountain fire.
And secondly, it is reported that two well-known figures in the Southern Cape fishing industry, Rikus Bester and Robert Hemphill, died in a boat accident at Gouritsmond between Stilbaai and Mossel Bay.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports the Humansdorp Provincial Hospital is turning into a war zone as gang violence spills from the streets to the hospital.
And secondly, the paper writes police officers in Nelson Mandela Bay work in worn-out clothes, wear outdated bulletproof vests, do not have enough vehicles, and pay for toilet paper out of their own pockets.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes appeals are being made from various quarters that the minister of Finance should resign.
And reports more and more incidents are occurring of cattle thieves murdering cattle and sheep herders.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports that President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited the murdered Ingrid Maasdorp’s grandmother Dolly in Okahandja on Sunday. She questioned the authorities’ actions after the murder.
And secondly, the paper writes the former master hunting guide who is occasionally in court, Brian Roodt of Quality Hunting Safaris, is in trouble once again.