Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 27 January 2025:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports nine South African soldiers have died in clashes with M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The paper writes the ongoing fighting in the eastern region is linked to illegal gold mining operations worth approximately 2.57-billion-rand.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports the real test for the government of national unity awaits this week when the cabinet lekgotla is held. Issues such as the Expropriation Act and NHI will be brought to the forefront.

Then the paper writes 59-year-old Shaik Adam Shabir Ammed was trampled to death by an elephant at the Malelane gate of the Kruger National Park when he tried to protect his grandchildren aged five and 11.

And finally, there is a report about the motorcycle accident outside Willowmore that claimed the lives of former rugby player Tommie Webb and his wife Elizabeth Crolin.

GAUTENG:

# The Star & Pretoria News:

Writes Right to Justice will today open a criminal case against a former senior government official, Ayanda Dakela, at the Hillbrow police station. The chairperson of Right to Justice, Siphesihle Jele, wants Dakela to be charged for corruption allegedly committed at the Department of Health.

And secondly, it is reported the secretary-general of the ANC, Fikile Mbalula, has confirmed that five members of the ANC’s National Executive Committee, namely Zizi Kodwa, Obed Bapela, Cedric Frolic, Malusi Gigaba, and David Mahlobo, will appear before the disciplinary committee on state capture charges and misconduct.

# Sowetan:

Reports Gauteng is assessing its readiness to respond to emergencies amid a shortage of fire engines and staffing shortages at municipalities. The paper writes in the case of Johannesburg, the situation is even more dire with only half of the required 30 fire engines available to deal with more than 250 fires per month.

# And The Citizen:

Writes according to experts President Cyril Ramaphosa’s reluctance to act against cabinet members who have committed offences can be attributed to the skeletons in his own closet.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Also leads with the cabinet lekgotla this week.

And secondly, it is reported the cargo section of the Cape Town International Airport was broken into and jewellery worth about R200 million was stolen.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports there are numerous allegations about a secret suitcase and money hidden in a cottage that are allegedly linked to a drowning on Friday on the south side of Jeffreys Bay.

And secondly, the paper writes a man who allegedly defrauded a group of Eastern Cape rugby supporters of rugby tickets for an All Black match in Cape Town will appear in court next week.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Also reports about the attack on South African soldiers in the DRC.

And secondly, the paper writes the division in the government of national unity is increasing.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports while America is being urged worldwide to revoke its withdrawal from the World Health Organisation, Namibia does not expect this delicate situation to affect its bilateral programs with the USA.

Then the paper writes five Saudi Arabian businessmen have failed in their court application in the Windhoek High Court against British billionaire Harvey Boulter for the payment of approximately 54-million-rand.

And finally there is news about hunting conferences.