Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 06 February 2025:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports South African banks have hit back over black South Africans’ access to credit and account closures after the issue was raised in Parliament this week. The managing director of the Banking Association of South Africa, Bongiwe Kunene, released a detailed report on the progress of transforming the sector.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports evidence was presented in the High Court in Cape Town indicating that the firearms of the murdered farmer from Louiesenhof outside Stellenbosch, Stefan Smit, were found in a safe in the house of one of the suspects, Derek Sait.

And secondly, the paper writes president Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says they hope the president and president Donald Trump will be able to play a round of golf when he visits South Africa.

GAUTENG:

# The Star & Pretoria News:

Writes Ramaphosa has come under fire for allegedly breaking protocol by calling American billionaire Elon Musk to discuss his ill-informed tweets about the Expropriation Act. The move has been criticised by opposition parties and analysts, who say it undermines the country’s sovereignty and diplomatic protocol.

# Sowetan:

Reports the relatives of some of the 14 SANDF members who died in the DRC say the army has not yet informed them about the return of the bodies.

# And The Citizen:

Leads with: “WHAT CYRIL MUST DO”. The paper spoke to various experts and organisations about the most important action points that the president must address during his State of the Nation Address tonight.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports that according to Solidarity, one of the main obstacles has been removed, namely the continuation of medical funds under National Health Insurance.

And secondly, the paper writes a woman was shocked when she discovered on a visit to the Kruger National Park that two brown rings in a toilet were in fact a Mozambican spitting cobra.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports tens of thousands of disappointed prospective students have been turned away from three major Eastern Cape universities because there is no room for them.

And secondly, the paper writes as part of its expansion plans, Volkswagen Group Africa will halt production at its Kariega plant for a month in 2025 so that it can work on future plans.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes about the conversation between President Ramaphosa and Elon Musk about the US’s proposed suspension of funds to South Africa.

And reports that the 52nd aQuelle Midmar Mile, which takes place from today, is once again aimed at raising millions of rand for charity.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports the Namibian Investment Promotion and Development Board has refused to disclose its recruitment processes following allegations that its CEO, Nangula Uaandj, rules the board with an iron fist and appoints her friends.

Then the paper writes the minister of Agriculture allegedly exempted the judge hearing the Red Line case from paying land tax on two farms shortly before the hearing began.

And finally, there is news about the community that stepped in to restore the Owela Museum.