The headlines of the leading newspapers on 26 March 2024:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Writes the High Court in Pretoria has postponed the verdict on an urgent court application by the speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, until 2 April. The state undertook not to arrest Mapisa-Nqakula until the court ruled.
GAUTENG:
# Beeld:
Reports as Business Day on Mapisa-Nqakula’s court application. Her legal team argued that an arrest would harm her right to freedom and reputation and a summons would be a better solution.
Secondly, there is news about a new species of African bullfrog that was discovered by professor Louis du Preez and his team at the North-West University in Potchefstroom.
And finally, it is reported the Commercial Court in Pretoria has granted the former company secretary and head of legal affairs of Steinhoff, Stéhan Grobler bail of 150-thousand-rand.
# The Star and Pretoria News:
Also writes about Grobler’s bail.
And also reports on Mapisa-Nqakula and First National Bank being given seven days to reopen former president Jacob Zuma’s bank accounts.
# Sowetan:
Reports on the National Prosecuting Authority saying Mapisa-Nqakula tried to sabotage their investigation and thwarted any efforts to get her to court.
# And The Citizen:
Writes, according to experts, the chances are slim that the ANC will form a coalition with the EFF as Julius Malema will instead approach Zuma’s MK party as both have the same economic transformation policy.
FREE STATE:
# Volksblad in Bloemfontein:
Has the same lead as Beeld about Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
And secondly, the paper reports that the so-called peeping tom stepfather, who watched his daughter through a security camera in her room, was found guilty of producing and possessing child pornography.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Has the same lead as Beeld and Volksblad.
Then there also is news about Stéhan Grobler’s bail.
And finally, there is a story about a house in the Bel Ombre Estate in Constantia that is on the market for 107-million-rand.
# And Cape Times:
Writes concern is growing about the six missing fishermen.
And also reports on Stéhan Grobler’s bail and the Prosecuting Authority saying Mapisa-Nqakula must answer to the charges against her.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports the owners of accommodation for around 14-thousand students in Nelson Mandela Bay are threatening to evict the students if NSFAS does not pay for the accommodation.
And writes the arrest of seven suspects for the wave of house robberies in Gqeberha was short-lived after six of the suspects were released.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# Daily News in Durban:
Writes residents have put together a petition against the rate increases in eThekwini.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports a former police reservist, 50-year-old Johann Wickus Maree has pleaded not guilty to charges that he sexually abused 15 boys.
And secondly, the paper writes three members of the Namibian Armed Forces were denied bail in the Rundu Magistrate’s Court after they allegedly shot a kudu, eland, and wildebeest without a permit with their service weapons.