The headlines of the leading newspapers on 17 October 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the South African food industry is on the eve of the biggest consolidation in more than a decade. This comes after Premier announced plans to acquire RFG in a share swap deal. The paper writes that this will create a food powerhouse with annual sales of almost 30-billion-rand. This is within reach of the country’s market leader, Tiger Brands, with revenues of 37.7-billion-rand.
# Mail & Guardian on Fridays:
Writes Social Development minister Sisisi Tolashe is under pressure after an alleged affair with one of her advisers came to light.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports the Hawks have appealed to anyone who invested money in Anthonie Bougas’s Kleuterzone Group to come forward and assist with the investigation.
Then the website writes about the testimony of the suspended Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, before the parliamentary ad hoc committee, during which he accepted responsibility for the dissolution of the police political assassination task force. He says the reason was to use the funds in better ways.
And finally, it reports about former president Jacob Zuma’s fight not to pay 28.9-million-rand. He was presented in the High Court in Pretoria as the real victim. If the enforcement order is granted, Zuma will have 60 days to pay the costs.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Reports a neighbour who lives on the exclusive Sandton street where Hangwani Maumela’s house was searched by the Special Investigation Unit last week in connection with the two-billion-rand Tembisa Hospital scandal, says president Cyril Ramaphosa is a regular visitor.
# Sowetan:
Also reports on Mchunu’s testimony before the parliamentary ad hoc committee. He says it was unfair that one task force gets all the money when other crime problems also need attention.
# And The Citizen:
Writes traffic officers say the introduction of AARTO next month opens the door to more bribery from their colleagues. According to the officials, the points system is much more serious than fines, and no one wants to lose a driver’s license.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Leads with Netwerk24’s report on Mchunu. The paper writes he denied that he had links to syndicates.
And secondly, there is a report about a farmer from Bloemfontein, 41-year-old Gideon Geldenhuys, who was attacked by a swarm of more than a thousand bees when he ploughed open a nest in an anthill on a field.
EASTERN CAPE:
# Daily Despatch in East London:
Reports the upgrading of the road network in Gonubie has been halted for the time being until a dispute over the payment of the contractor is resolved.
And secondly, the paper writes judge Mandela Makaula is under fire after he remarked at the Judicial Service Commission that the lawyers of Gqeberha cannot be trusted.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes there are still many unanswered questions about the two planes that crashed in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
And secondly, the paper also reports on Mchunu’s testimony.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports chaos with the disbursement of social grants at NamPost is a direct result of limited resources. There are only 15 vehicles nationwide for the distribution of grants.
Then the paper writes a wet summer season is beckoning thanks to La Niña conditions.
And finally, it is reported the photo of a brown hyena in the deserted Kolmanskop is Wim van den Heever’s winning photo for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2025.