Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 21 January 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports City Power in Johannesburg wants to take control of the Kelvin coal-fired power station to reduce its dependence on Eskom and provide cheaper electricity. The power station is currently owned by Anergi, which is the majority owner. In addition, the Public Investment Corporation, on behalf of the Public Servants’ Pension Fund, is also involved.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports the driver of the taxi in which 12 learners died in Vanderbijlpark had his public driving permit expired in November last year. He was arrested and is charged with 12 counts of culpable homicide and reckless and negligent driving.

Secondly, the website writes the Mbombela municipality has issued an evacuation order after it emerged that the wall of the Senteeko Dam between Kaapsehoop and Barberton could break at any time.

And finally, it is reported that COSATU is unhappy about the salary increases of politicians.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Writes the families of the victims of the taxi accident in Vanderbijlpark are extremely unhappy with the way they were treated at the scene of the accident.

And secondly, Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero has reportedly pledged to take action against those who do not pay their utility or electricity bills.

# Sowetan:

Reports that about 600 residents of the Sporong settlement in Randfontein have fled their homes after they were allegedly intimidated by zama zamas. They are now housed in the Randgate Hall.

# And The Citizen:

Leads with: “CRIME: HOW TO FIGHT IT”. The paper writes the organisation, Safe Citizens, is criticising the Firearms Bill. They say law-abiding citizens are being punished while syndicates flourish. According to the organisation, 64 people are being murdered daily.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Leads with COSATU’s unhappiness over the four-percent salary increase granted to members of Parliament. The union says it is proof of how deaf the government is to what is happening in the country.

Secondly, the paper writes a 53-year-old man has been arrested for the murder of a former detective from Plettenberg Bay. The body of Anneke van Heerden was found next to her car in Keurboom Strand on Sunday.

And finally, there is news about Glen in the Free State’s leopard, which was a caracal all along.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports an audit report on Nelson Mandela Bay contains only bad news.

Secondly, the paper writes a growing number of schools in the Bay have decided to ban cellphones from classrooms this year.

And finally, there is news about the water situation in Gqeberha. It is unclear at this stage why the city’s water supply continues to decline.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Reports on the testimony of Robert McBride before the parliamentary ad hoc committee that the police’s crime intelligence is riddled with corruption.

And also writes that the driver of the taxi in the Vanderbijlpark accident has been charged.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports that a legal aid dispute has arisen in the ongoing Fishrot corruption trial. Defence lawyers argue that their clients are being disadvantaged by the state’s unequal allocation of resources.

And secondly, the paper states that Arandis aims to halt the transportation of toxic waste through the town.