The headlines of the leading newspapers on 03 July 2026:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports former President Thabo Mbeki has made a plea for friendship between South Africa and the US. South African and US officials stress cooperation is essential amid tensions over tariffs, Agoa, and diplomacy.
# Mail & Guardian:
Writes Illegal weight loss drugs flood South Africa.
And reports the appointment of Dina Pule as Minister of Social Development provokes outrage.
# Die Papier:
Reports president Cyril Ramaphosa apparently appointed Pule under pressure from the ANC Women’s League. She is the deputy secretary-general of the movement. The paper writes Cosatu, the ANC Veterans League, and several members of Parliament are questioning the move. This follows Pule’s dismissal in 2013.
Secondly, the paper writes according to Eskom, the City of Johannesburg is making slow progress in repaying its debt of more than five-billion-rand. Moreover, the power supplier says the amount has grown by 30-million-rand since May.
And finally, there is a report on the Nations Championship Test between the Springboks and England at Ellis Park on Saturday.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports the ANC wants the operations of the Impeachment Committee be suspended until a decision is made on Ramaphosa’s review application against the Section 89 Committee’s Phala Phala report.
And secondly, the website writes former DA leader Tony Leon says the allegations surrounding his company, Resolve Communications and Starlink are simply political scheming.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Writes the South African National Editors’ Forum has cleared its former chairperson, Makhudu Sefara, of any breach of the organisation’s constitution, code of conduct or values. This follows an independent legal investigation into allegations relating to the alleged misappropriation of National Lottery funds.
# And Sowetan:
Reports the Special Investigation Unit says it is completing its report on the alleged qualification fraud of the Eastern Cape premier, Oscar Mabuyane. In the meantime, a court order has also been issued forcing the University of Fort Hare to review his application.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Firstly, reports about the bus accident near Touwsriver that claimed the lives of 15 people, including two children. The driver of the bus allegedly swerved to avoid a collision with a delivery vehicle when the bus overturned.
And secondly, the paper also writes about Tony Leon’s company.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports construction work on the Lower Baakens zipline project will begin soon.
And secondly, the paper writes it has come to light that mismanagement of funds and a shortage of personnel are among the underlying reasons for the water problems in Nelson Mandela Bay.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes Pitso Mosimane is currently a strong candidate to become the head coach of Bafana Bafana, following Hugo Broos’ departure after the World Cup. The minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has also previously publicly supported Mosimane for the position.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports Namibian prime minister Elijah Ngurare has sharply criticised the increase in unfinished government capital projects.
Then the paper writes the outgoing director-general of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Namibia, Paulus Noa, looks back on his 20 years at the commission
And finally, it is reported that the worst cold weather in Namibia is receding slightly.