The headlines of the leading newspapers on 20 March 2024:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the National Prosecuting Authority’s Directorate of Investigation has raided the house of the parliamentary speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. This follows allegations that she received at least 2.3-million-rand from a former military contractor during her tenure as minister of Defence.
GAUTENG:
# Beeld:
Also leads with the raid on Mapisa-Nqakula’s house. The paper reports the EFF and other parties have demanded that she resign out of respect for Parliament.
Secondly, the paper has news about the Verreaux’s eagle breeding pair in the Walter Sisulu Botanical Garden in Roodepoort, that are hard at work building a nest.
And finally, there is a snippet about Russian president Vladimir Putin, who will visit China in May.
# The Star and Pretoria News:
Also writes about the raid on Mapisa-Nqakula’s house. She maintains she is innocent.
And reports on the ANC’s Electoral Court application to have the registration of the MK Party declared illegal.
# Sowetan:
Reports Mapisa-Nqakula is out in the cold to fight the corruption allegations against her. She only has a few months left in her office as speaker.
# And The Citizen:
Writes how many people in South Africa’s hopes and dreams are destroyed.
FREE STATE:
# Volksblad in Bloemfontein:
Also reports on the court battle between the ANC and the Independent Electoral Commission over the registration of the MK Party. Former president Jacob Zuma said after the Electoral Court’s session that the MK Party was going to take on the ANC directly in the election.
And secondly, the paper writes that maize farmers from the Western Free State and North West are facing complete crop failures. The dry, hot conditions disrupted a critical phase of the maize’s development.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Has the same lead as Beeld about Mapisa-Nqakula.
Then the paper reports at least two people died in an accident on the N1 just before the Klapmuts exit in which a bakkie was involved.
And finally, there is news about the angler who pulled out a puff adder instead of a fish at the Klein-Brak River estuary near Mossel Bay.
# And Cape Times:
Writes there are a growing number of calls for the speaker of the National Assembly to resign.
And reports the IEC says it is ready to deal with any violation of rules by political parties.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports the City Manager of Nelson Mandela Bay, Noxolo Nqwazi acted prematurely when she informed the Mandela Bay Development Agency board of their dissolution. The Supreme Court in Gqeberha must make the final decision.
And secondly, the paper writes a theatre group that had been housed in the historic arts area of Nelson Mandela Bay for decades is now vacating its premises due to the rising crime in the city.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# Daily News in Durban:
Writes the ANC chairman in KwaZulu-Natal, Siboniso Duma must give 100 cows to the Zulu king Misuzulu kaZwelithini to apologise for his public outburst towards the traditional Zulu prime minister, Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports the Novecy Pharmacy in Windhoek may continue to compound medicines to meet customers’ needs.
And secondly, the paper writes the Namibian president, Nangolo Mbumba says heads of state must put the needs of their countrymen before those of their respective political parties.