Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 05 February 2025:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports president Cyril Ramaphosa spoke to the South African-born billionaire and confidant of president Donald Trump, Elon Musk, about the US president’s statements on land expropriation in South Africa and his threat to stop funding to the country.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Also lead with Ramaphosa’s conversation with Musk. The page reports the South African president has dispelled misconceptions about the Expropriation Act. It also reports several civil rights organisations have condemned Trump for his assumptions that are based on lies.

Then it is reported former president Jacob Zuma’s attempts to privately prosecute Ramaphosa have failed again with the Constitutional Court dismissing his appeal.

And finally, there is news about the remains of the South African soldiers who died in the DRC. The bodies will probably arrive in the country today.

GAUTENG:

# The Star & Pretoria News:

Writes members of Parliament from different parties yesterday questioned the country’s banks’ behaviour, preferential treatment, lack of transformation, high fees and arbitrary decisions on closing accounts without reason.

And reports a large group of organisations has come forward to condemn AfriForum’s lobbying of US President Donald Trump on South Africa’s Land Expropriation Bill.

# Sowetan:

Leads with: “IS THIS WAR ON BUSES?” The paper reports at least 60 buses were set alight in two provinces in the past week while two Rea Vaya drivers were shot dead in Soweto. The bus drivers are now being escorted by the metro police to ensure passenger safety.

# And The Citizen:

Writes the publication of the National Register of Sex Offenders by the end of the month has been widely welcomed as nine out of ten child abusers are repeat offenders.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports the minister of Correctional Services, Pieter Groenewald, has suspended the parole of Alison Botha’s attackers and rapists, Frans du Toit and Theuns Kruger. Botha has recently experienced serious medical problems.

And secondly, the paper writes that the Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube, says her department is busy with the regulations in the Bela Act.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports it has been two years since concerns were raised about thieves stripping the cables of the fibreglass street lights along the N2 in Colchester. Currently, only stumps of the lights remain.

And secondly, the paper also writes about the suspension of Du Toit and Kruger’s parole.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes the Special Investigation Unit has begun its investigation into the activities of Ithala Bank.

And reports one of the three lions hiding in a bush in the Glückstadt area, southeast of Vryheid, has been shot, according to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports a family from Swakopmund is demanding justice after their beloved Rottweiler, Ragnir, was allegedly stolen, hacked to death with an axe and its meat sold this past weekend.

Then the paper writes the Mondesa Clinic in Swakopmund has been temporarily closed after a fire broke out in the early hours of Monday morning.

And finally, it is reported the Namibia Meteorological Service is warning that flash floods may occur in places tomorrow with moderate to widespread thunderstorms in the central and northwestern parts.