Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 04 February 2025:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports US President Donald Trump plans to cut off funding to South Africa over the country’s land expropriation laws. This has sparked fears that trade relations between the two countries are under threat. President Cyril Ramaphosa will now approach the US president to clear up any misunderstandings.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports Ramaphosa wants to explain the Expropriation Act to Trump and clear up any misunderstandings. According to experts, the president’s decision to resolve the issue through diplomatic processes is the right step to take.

And secondly, the paper writes Darren Wilken and Tiona Moodley from Midrand, who are accused of selling child pornography, have reportedly earned millions.

GAUTENG:

# The Star & Pretoria News:

Reports the minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources, Gwede Mantashe, has threatened to withhold critical minerals from the US in response to Trump’s withdrawal of funds.

And secondly, writes EFF leader Julius Malema has demanded that Ramaphosa take decisive action against Rwanda, including closing the Rwandan embassy in Pretoria. Ramaphosa, however, has pledged to continue supporting the DRC.

# Sowetan:

Reports it has emerged in court that 32-year-old Keneilwe Shalaba received a large sum of money in her bank account after her baby son’s disappearance. The prosecutor says she also refuses to answer questions about what the payment was for and where it came from.

# And The Citizen:

Leads with: “TRUMP’S SHADOW HANGS OVER SA”. The paper writes president Trump has weaponised the dollar against South Africa.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Also leads with the Trump issue. The paper also reports Mantashe, says South Africa must withhold its minerals from the USA.

And secondly, the paper has a montage of 2024 matrics on its front page. It has a full supplement on school leavers today.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Also reports about Trump. The paper writes that AfriForum insisted that Washington punish ANC politicians and not ordinary citizens.

And secondly, there is news about the suspended city manager of Nelson Mandela Bay, Noxolo Nqwazi. He agreed to a 6.5-million-rand settlement to resign but the council must first approve it.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Firstly also writes Trump has South Africa in his sights.

And secondly, it is reported experts expect a sombre State of the Nation address with the country’s soldiers who died in the DRC.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports that after their baby girl was stillborn about three years ago in Otjiwarongo’s state hospital, the High Court in Windhoek ordered the state to pay 1.2-million-rand to the parents.

And secondly, the paper writes statistics on income distribution in Namibia highlight the inequality in the country. Approximately 55.4-percent of working individuals earn a gross monthly income of less than five-thousand-rand.