Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 08 January 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports KwaZulu-Natal has revoked the freeze on pharmacy internships. According to the paper, this follows pressure from interest groups and the redeployment of the meagre budget.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports president Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed the commander of the Special Investigation Unit, advocate Andy Mothibi, as the new National Director of Public Prosecutions. He was not on the shortlist of candidates. His appointment was widely welcomed, but concerns were expressed about his age.

Then the website writes Chinese warships have already arrived in Simon’s Town and the Iranian fleet is on its way. According to the Defence Force, the BRICS naval exercise is aimed at securing trade routes.

And finally, there is news about young South Africans’ credit consumption, which is still increasing. The page reports this is especially for the purchase of vehicles.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Writes that the appointment of Mothibi as National Director of Public Prosecutions is part of a larger strategy to fix the NPA.

And secondly, it is reported the 14 South Africans who were lured to Thailand in an alleged recruitment scam are going to be deported.

# Sowetan:

Leads with: “WILL HE CATCH THE BIG FISH?” The paper also reports on the appointment of advocate Andy Mothibi.

# And The Citizen:

Writes that a judge has been appointed to investigate allegations that acting judge Samuel Makamu received bribes to grant leave to appeal in an eviction case.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports on the circumstances surrounding the outbreak of fires in Mossel Bay. Dozens of people had to evacuate their homes last night. Numerous structures have already been destroyed by the fire, and the N2 was closed for a while. The municipality says gale-force winds are making the work of firefighters difficult.

And secondly, the paper also writes about the BRICS naval exercise.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports the Special Investigation Unit has released further information about its investigation into the issuing of illegal tenders in Nelson Mandela Bay.

And secondly, the paper writes animal welfare organisations are under serious pressure.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes after unidentified bodies were recently found in the Duzi River, the police have intensified the search for more bodies in the river. The paper reports the police are trying to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

In another special digital edition, the paper today dedicates its front page to the wine industry.