The headlines of the leading newspapers on 24 June 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the government is in talks with the French Development Bank about a loan of more than six-billion-rand, as well as a further loan from the BRICS New Development Bank. This is in addition to the existing World Bank loan of 27-billion-rand. The funds are part of the budget to support the government over the next three years.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Firstly, reports on a South African in Doha, Qatar, Mariëtte Oelofse’s terrifying experience when Iran carried out a missile attack on a local US Air Force base. Iran had earlier said it would carry out retaliatory attacks against the US.
Secondly, the website provides an overview of the conflict in the Middle East with regular postings of events on a timeline.
And finally, it is reported that 22-year-old Johan Erasmus died in a freak accident at a mine in Douglas over the weekend.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Firstly, also writes about Iran’s attack in Qatar.
Secondly, it is reported the MK Party has also called for the resignation of the minister of Higher Education, Nobuhle Nkabane. The party says she is not fit to hold the position.
And finally, the paper writes the so-called Blue Light fraud case against former acting commissioner of police, Kgomotso Phahlane and businessman, Vimpie Phineas Manthata, descended into chaos when the state was unable to provide a charge sheet. The defence is demanding that all charges be immediately dropped.
# Sowetan:
Reports that the families of Samkelo France and Molefe Mtombeni who drowned in a stormwater ditch in Ekurhuleni say the metro must accept responsibility for not repairing a fence. The metro says there is a culture of infrastructure vandalism that must be stopped.
# And The Citizen:
Writes about the Wolfaardt family of Welverdiend in Carletonville who were stopped by Pakistani spaza shop owners in the area from opening their own supermarket. The paper reports that the Wolfaardts were even shot at.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Also leads with the experiences of Mariëtte Oelofse in Doha.
Then the paper reports South Africa is among the top ten safest places in the world if a Third World War were to break out.
And finally, there is news about two people who ended up in the hospital after eating sweets handed out on the street in Belville. The sweets apparently contained dagga and tik.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports the disciplinary case against the suspended Nelson Mandela Bay city manager, Noxolo Nqwazi, has cost the municipality more than 800-thousand-rand in legal costs.
And secondly, the newspaper writes about the ongoing dispute between a large church and a primary school in New Brighton over the occupation of a building.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Also writes about Iran and the retaliatory attacks that are being carried out.
And reports that a 56-year-old man died after being attacked by a crocodile at a game reserve in Hluhluwe on Saturday. The incident took place at a dam in the Bonamanzi Game Reserve.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports according to the Auditor-General, Junias Kandjeke, there are significant shortcomings at Namibia’s gold mines. He says these include gaps in evidence of land ownership and poor supervision at the mines.
And secondly, the paper writes the government is determined to reduce the import of fresh vegetables, utilise unused agricultural land and involve more young people in the agricultural sector.