The headlines of the leading newspapers on 02 May 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the Reserve Bank has been sharply criticised by the High Court for abusing draconian currency control powers. The court says the bank did this by withdrawing approval for Ibex to transfer funds to foreign creditors.
# Mail & Guardian on Fridays:
Today writes about trade unions in the South African context. The paper reports, among other things, on job cuts, artificial intelligence, and the cost of living seen against the background of the relevance of labour organisations.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports about a farm murder in the Roossenekal area in Limpopo. The body of 78-year-old Robert Stolz was found by his daughter. He was allegedly stabbed to death with a sharp object.
Then the website writes in the meantime, 72-year-old Schalk Augusteyn from Upington was attacked with a sickle. He suffered minor injuries.
And finally, it is reported the police say there is no connection between the three constables whose bodies were found in the Hennops River and two more bodies recovered in the same area.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Writes president Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the establishment of a commission of inquiry to investigate why crimes from the apartheid era, referred by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, were not prosecuted.
And secondly, the paper reports that there are still many questions in the investigation into the deaths of the three police constables in the Hennops River.
# Sowetan:
Reports the 44 young Ethiopian men rescued from a house in Sandton were malnourished and had open wounds. The paper writes the neighbours of the house say they are shocked because they thought the house was empty.
# And The Citizen:
Leads with: “BETTER LIFE OR BITTER LIFE”. The paper writes most workers in the country are trapped in unions that make decisions on their behalf.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports the verdict in the Joshlin Smith case will be delivered today. The state claims she was sold to a sangoma for 20-thousand-rand, but the paper writes that even though there is a conviction, Joshlin is still missing.
Secondly, the paper writes three children have died in a car accident in Stanford.
And finally, there is news about 550 tons of food waste being composted in Cape Town.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports residents of Knysna protested outside court this week after 36-year-old Ntombizodwa Mei, whose body was found on Freedom Day, was murdered and dumped in a pit toilet.
And secondly, the paper writes the father of ecotourism, Bill “Tick” Fowlds of Sidbury has died.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes about South Africa’s nuclear power plans.
And reports that the MK Party has managed to win another ward in eThekwini.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports controversial Meatco board member, Joseph Andreas, has informed the Anti-Corruption Commission of Namibia that his fellow board members, including veteran business leader and board chairman, Sakaria Nghikembua, allegedly do not have the qualifications to serve on the company’s board.
Secondly, the paper writes another alleged attempt to kidnap a schoolgirl in Windhoek is being investigated by the Namibian police.
And finally, it is reported that the Lüderitz Crayfish Trust and the town council are butting heads.