Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 06 February 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports the Rio Tinto-Glencore merger deal is on the rocks. The paper writes that lofty leadership ambitions are collapsing in what would be the industry’s biggest merger.

# Mail & Guardian on Fridays:

Writes that the popularity of billionaire Patrice Motsepe to take over from his brother-in-law president Cyril Ramaphosa, as ANC president continues to grow.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports DA MP Dianne Kohler-Barnard denied before the parliamentary ad hoc committee that she ever leaked information from the joint committee on Intelligence on which she serves.

Secondly, the paper writes three suspects were killed, and two police officers wounded when police confronted a group of armed men in Nyanga in Cape Town,

And finally, it is reported that a farmer from Harrismith was assaulted when he stopped suspects over stolen laptops. He found the suspects on his farm and saw that two laptops in the office had disappeared.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Writes EFF leader Julius Malema insists that the Phala Phala case of president Ramaphosa be brought to a conclusion. He accused the Constitutional Court of dragging its feet with a ruling. According to Malema, Ramaphosa should be impeached.

# Sowetan:

Reports the Madlanga Commission has heard that brigadier Rachel Matjeng received 338-thousand-rand after “Cat” Matlala received a 350-million-rand police tender. Her explanation that it was a gift from her lover was rejected by the commission.

# And The Citizen:

Writes Gauteng is suffering from a debt burden of 167-billion-rand with 165-million-rand of this owed by municipal officials and councillors. The metros in the province currently have no plans to collect the money.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports the drought in the Western, Eastern, and Northern Cape is now in the hands of the national government after the areas were declared national disaster areas. An urgent appeal has been made to state institutions, the private sector, communities and the public to save water.

And secondly, the paper writes Prasa must pay 6.4-million-rand after a man was pushed off a train.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports the case against ANC regional secretary Luyolo Nqakula and nine other accused has been withdrawn, but the city manager Noxolo Nqwanazi will still face charges of alleged tender fraud.

And secondly, the paper writes the Addo Elephant Park is preparing for the Herald cycle tour.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes the DA says Grey’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg is heading towards a health disaster. The temperature in operating theatres is rising to 27 degrees Celsius, there is a huge backlog of operations, there are concerns about the safety of patients and a lack of compliance with medical protocols.

And secondly, there is a report about an incident in Cape Town where 49 learners were found in a taxi.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports the cumulative backlog of cases in Namibian courts increased by 11.5-percent to 63-thousand-679 cases in November 2025.

And secondly, the paper writes that Namibia is calling for a firm commitment by South Africa on the joint development of the Noordoewer–Vioolsdrif dam on the Lower Orange River, before the green light is given for Phase 2 of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.