Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 03 February 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports businessman and ANC member, Suleiman Carrim, has filed a court application to stop the Madlanga Commission from subpoenaing him to testify and answer allegations about his involvement in a tender awarded to Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports alleged syndicate leader, Cat Matlala, and serial rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester, have both been transferred to other prisons. The Department of Correctional Services says the move was made after safety and risk assessments.

Then the website writes mayoral committee member for Finance, Loyiso Masuku, may be appointed as first deputy mayor in Johannesburg.

And finally, it is reported pressure is increasing to prevent foot-and-mouth disease from spreading to the Northern Cape. The DA has called on the provincial government to protect the province.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Writes about the transformer explosion in New Doornfontein in Johannesburg, in which a student and three security guards suffered serious burns. Part of the building also collapsed.

# Sowetan:

Reports on several cases where communities have stepped in to rectify local government failures. In one case, the Vaal community built a bridge over a stream so they could visit a local business. And in Emfuleni, a group of senior citizens fixed their own sewage system after their requests had fallen on deaf ears for years.

# And The Citizen:

Writes that in some of the Jeffrey Epstein emails that have come to light, there are not only references to former president Jacob Zuma, but there is also mention of a Cape agent “Daniel” who reports on the available young girls.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports one of the accused in the murder of Piet de Koker, 20-year-old Ryan Munnik, did not appear in court, and a warrant has been issued. De Koker was murdered in a cemetery on Distillery Road in Onder-Papegaaiberg in January.

And secondly, there is news about dams in the Western Cape that are currently at only 51-percent with the extremely hot weather continuing.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro is planning to spend 37-million-rand to install two new transformers.

And secondly, the paper writes the unpleasant sewage smell in Gqeberha is having a negative impact on tourism.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Reports another political clash is looming between the IFP-led Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs and the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal following the department’s ultimatum that the Impendle Local Municipality must elect a mayor within a week.

And secondly, the paper writes the province is ready to roll out foot-and-mouth vaccinations.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports the managing director of Walu Fishing, Erna Loch, has accused the ministry of Fisheries of protecting a flawed performance programme that does not benefit former fishermen it was supposed to help.

And secondly, the paper writes public consultations on the Draft Bill for State-Owned Universal Health Coverage and Care have begun.