The headlines of the leading newspapers on 25 June 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports Parliament’s standing committee on Public Accounts has announced that it will investigate the state of the finances at the Road Accident Fund. The chairperson of the committee, Songezo Zibi, says the investigation will also look into irregularities in the supply chain worth more than one-billion-rand.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports flood damage in the Eastern Cape is estimated at 5.1-billion-rand and the death toll has risen to 100. Among the victims are 37 children, of whom 22 were learners.
Secondly, the website writes the kidnappers who overpowered a schoolboy near his school in Bloemfontein wanted seven-million-rand from his parents. A police officer, 42-year-old Sergeant Nzima Philemon Adoons, is appearing in court in connection with the kidnapping.
And finally, there is news about the anniversary of the Boks’ World Cup victory 30 years ago.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Writes Emalahleni residents are shocked after the arrest of 39-year-old Cascar Bongani Nkosi, who was known as a friendly member of the community. Nkosi is alleged to be a serial rapist who assaulted at least 13 young girls, with fears that the actual number of victims could rise to 30.
# Sowetan:
Reports deputy president Paul Mashatile has vehemently denied that he played any role in the awarding of the lottery license to Sizekhaya and says he was not aware that his sister-in-law was involved in the company.
# And The Citizen:
Writes the mayor of Johannesburg, Dada Morero is under fire with the DA’s motion of no confidence in him introduced in council today. The paper reports there are some factions in the ANC that may support the motion.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Firstly, reports about the South Africans who are stranded after Iran’s attack on Doha, Qatar. The paper also writes president Donald Trump is apparently upset because Israel, in particular, has not paid attention to the ceasefire.
And secondly, the paper writes the 35-year-old teacher, Melissa Hughes, who allegedly sent a revealing video to a Grade 7 learner, has appeared in court again. She is charged with sexual grooming.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports thousands of preschools in the Eastern Cape have not yet received the government subsidy they rely on, putting them in dire straits as they try to meet the fundamental needs of young people.
And secondly, the paper writes the life of one of South Africa’s most revered jazz stars, Fezile “Feya” Faku, is being celebrated in his birthplace, New Brighton.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes about the experiences of South Africans living in Qatar during Iran’s missile attack on the US air base in Doha.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports the minister of Urban and Rural Development, Sankwasa James Sankwasa, has made it clear that the political ambitions of the leader of the Landless People’s Movement, Bernardus Swartbooi, are doomed and that he will not become president at any stage.