The headlines of the leading newspapers on 14 March 2024:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports, the minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, has announced, the SAA’s agreement with the strategic equity partner, Takatso, has been terminated. This is considered a setback for one of president Cyril Ramaphosa’s biggest privatisation actions.
GAUTENG:
# Beeld:
Reports, the water supply crisis in Johannesburg has not yet been resolved. Joburg Water will now supply water from one pumping station to the next, to restore the system.
Then the paper reports, a parishioner has been arrested in connection with the murder of three monks from the Coptic Church in Cullinan.
And finally, there is news about 16-year-old Dewan van Helsdingen from the Helpmekaar College in Johannesburg who completed his first solo flight in a helicopter.
# The Star and Pretoria News:
Write, the South Gauteng High Court, sitting in Palm Ridge, found Sifiso Naseeb Mkhwanazi guilty of the murder and rape of six sex workers in Johannesburg.
And report, according to experts, the SAA deal should never have been considered.
# Sowetan:
Reports, former president Thabo Mbeki says former president Jacob Zuma in his efforts to destroy democracy in the country, also destroyed the South African Revenue Service.
# And The Citizen:
Writes, experts believe local service delivery issues will play a decisive role in this year’s election.
FREE STATE:
# Volksblad in Bloemfontein:
Firstly, reports on the negative effects of the heat wave on farmers in the Free State. Many crops will not survive the heat attack, and the harvest yields will be much lower.
And secondly, the paper writes about the Joslin Smith case. According to sources, Joslin’s mother, Kelly was allegedly more worried about not being separated from her boyfriend and co-accused, Jacquin (Boeta) Appollis, than over her missing child.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Leads with Joslin Smith. The paper reports, there was tremendous reaction outside the court again, when the accused appeared yesterday. The charges against one of the four accused have since been withdrawn.
And secondly, the paper writes, shortly after they celebrated their father Pieter Plaatjies’ 60th birthday, Marisa and Henrico Plaatjies died in a car accident outside Oudtshoorn.
# And Cape Times:
Writes, the leader of the GOOD Party and minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille has put herself forward as the party’s premier candidate in the Western Cape.
And secondly, the paper reports on the reasons for the release of the fourth defendant in the Joslin Smith case, Pumza Sigaqa.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports, the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority have withdrawn all charges of, among other things, forgery against Nelson Mandela Bay’s chief operating officer, Sidima Dyani.
And secondly, the paper writes, there is a growing number of kidnappings in Nelson Mandela Bay. In the latest incident, the wife of a prominent businessman was kidnapped outside her home in Kariega.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# Daily News in Durban:
Writes, violent protests broke out in Phoenix outside Durban, after the community had to cope without power and water for ten days.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports, the preliminary census figures show that Namibia’s total population now stands at more than 3.02-million. This is an increase of 114.4-percent over the past 32 years.
And secondly, there is news about a determined young farmer who started farming with just one goat and who has built up an entire business.