The headlines of the leading newspapers on 02 July 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the JSE has shaken off the ongoing bickering in the government of national unity and president Donald Trump’s tariffs to record one of its strongest performances in 20 years for the first half of the year. The all-share index is on track to surpass the 100-thousand-point mark for the first time in the exchange’s 137-year history.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports the bail application of Marco Schalekamp of White River, who is charged with, among other things, the murder of Pieter Burger, will be finalised next week. The website writes the witnesses in the case say they live in fear, and Schalekamp should not be granted bail.
Secondly, the paper writes the minister of Higher Education and Training, Nobuhle Nkabane, says those who do not support her budget reject transformation. The DA had earlier demanded her dismissal and said they would not support her budget.
And finally, it is reported that the head of corporate audits and investigations of Ekurhuleni, Mpho Mafole, has been shot dead in a suspected assassination.
GAUTENG:
# The Star & Pretoria News:
Writes the federal chairperson of the DA, Helen Zille says if president Cyril Ramaphosa gets rid of the DA in the government of national unity, the rand and the country’s economy will collapse, investors will withdraw, and unemployment will skyrocket.
And secondly, it is reported that diplomatic relations between South Africa and Botswana are under pressure over plans to bury former Botswana president Edgar Chagwa in Johannesburg.
# Sowetan:
Reports the family of Constable Frances Rasuge, who was murdered by her boyfriend, William Nkuna, in 2004, visited her killer as part of his parole process. However, they say he shows no remorse and has treated them with contempt.
# And The Citizen:
Writes the principal of Pretoria High School for Girls, Phillipa Erasmus, has been found guilty of allowing her husband to maintain the school’s gardens for free. This follows after a racism complaint against her earlier collapsed.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Firstly, reports about the joy of the mother of the newborn, Mogamat Imaad Sharmar from Strandfontein, who was kidnapped earlier. The boy is safe at home, and the woman who kidnapped him has been arrested.
Then the paper writes about a man who was robbed at the McDonald’s drive-through restaurant in Durbanville. He was approached by a “homeless man” who then hit him in the face with a firearm.
And finally, it is reported a 16-year-old boy from Cornubia, north of Durban, has died when a woman he was allegedly harassing threw a five-litre water bottle at his head.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports the dire conditions at the clinics in Nelson Mandela Bay could now lead to some being closed.
And secondly, the paper writes senior citizens will no longer allow thugs to harass them. They have now acquired sjamboks and clubs to protect themselves.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs wants to investigate the management of the Msunduzi Municipality.
And secondly, it is reported that further possible water cuts are in the offing for Pietermaritzburg.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports the trial awaiting former minister of Justice, Sacky Shanghala, accuses the Anti-Corruption Commission of Namibia of illegally granting immunity from prosecution to the Icelandic whistleblower in the Fishrot case, Jóhannes Stefánsson.