The headlines of the leading newspapers on 29 September 2026:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the Madlanga Commission heard that taxi bosses Joe Sibanyoni and Oupa Sindane were involved in an extortion plot for protection money. The allegations relate to the 3.7-billion-rand Moloto Road project north of Pretoria, with approximately 2-million-rand allegedly changing hands. There are also claims that they have ties to convicted hitmen.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports retired Judge Mbuyiseli Madlanga, chairperson of the Madlanga Commission, expressed his displeasure that the dismissed deputy head of Police Crime Intelligence, major general Feroz Khan, once again failed to appear before the commission. Madlanga refused to further postpone his testimony and ruled that parts of Khan’s testimony would be heard in camera next week.
Secondly, the website reports the owner of a competing business in Lwandile, Strand, was questioned in connection with the weekend’s mass shooting, in which 15 people were killed and 11 wounded.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Reports three additional accused have joined Charlotte Tibana and Peter “Gagash” Nonyane in a case involving 101 charges of alleged fraud, theft, and money laundering related to the administration of deceased estates. The case stems from allegations that approximately 11-million-rand was unlawfully looted from the estate accounts of deceased persons. The accused are appearing in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court.
# Sowetan:
Reports, like Business Day, on the allegations before the Madlanga Commission regarding Joe Sibanyoni and Oupa Sindane. The paper writes information about protection money came to light through WhatsApp messages from Sindane.
# And The Citizen:
Reports Roodepoort residents are daily subjected to unacceptable levels of lead, zinc, and arsenic, as the contractor working on nearby mine dumps refuses to carry out the prescribed rehabilitation measures. He claims he is there illegally anyway.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports there are numerous questions regarding the future of the suspended minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu. He remains at home while earning more than three-million-rand. There is mounting pressure on president Cyril Ramaphosa to make a decision on the matter.
Secondly, the paper writes community members from Oudtshoorn helped search yesterday for ostrich farmer Saag Jonker, whose bakkie was swept away by floodwaters on Sunday. Community members made a sonar device available for use where the Olifants River is too deep for divers.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Police used rubber bullets and stun grenades to drive residents of the Airport Valley squatter camp out of the area. The site is set to be cleared for a housing project. The paper writes emotions ran high when bulldozers moved in to demolish the residential structures.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Reports on a fire-service vehicle crisis in Pietermaritzburg that is directly affecting the extinguishing of major fires in the Jika Joe informal settlement. Emergency services are struggling with limited firefighting resources, aging equipment, and a heavy workload.
Secondly, there is a report on the 40th anniversary of Irene’s Models in Pietermaritzburg. The founder, Irene Olivier, has made a massive contribution to the career paths of aspiring models and young people.
And finally, from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Firstly, reports on the dire situation facing livestock farmers outside Karasburg. Those farming on resettlement farms say that death has come knocking at their doors.
Secondly, the paper writes the government missed its April target of building three-thousand houses—as outlined in the SWAPO manifesto—and is now under pressure to have ten-thousand houses ready by December.