Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 09 February 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports the police special task force has two months and five-million-rand to investigate and take disciplinary action against the police officers implicated in illegal actions in the Madlanga Commission report.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports the director of Veterinary Network, Danie Odendaal, says the announcement that locally produced vaccine against foot-and-mouth disease is now available is not a breakthrough. It is a betrayal of the welfare of animals and the farmers who feed the nation.

Then the website writes about the suicide of 41-year-old Wiandre Pretorius, whose name was mentioned at the Madlanga Commission in connection with various cases. He shot himself in front of his fiancée at a gas station in Brakpan.

And finally, it is reported that a 63-year-old participant in the Midmar Mile died during the swimming marathon after her heart allegedly stopped.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Also writes about the suicide of Wiandre Pretorius and the police inquest that is now underway.

There is also news about all the soccer results from the past weekend.

# Sowetan:

Reports the death of Pretorius has brought to light a much wider police investigation, including the murder of Marius ‘Vlam’ van der Merwe, who was shot dead in front of his house in Brakpan on December 5.

# And The Citizen:

Writes about Solly Msimanga’s chances of being elected as DA leader. Although Geordin Hill-Lewis is ahead, Msimanga is close behind with his Gauteng support.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports about the control points and other measures being implemented to control foot-and-mouth disease in the Western Cape. Then there is also news about Pretorius’ suicide, and the paper writes about a woman who was allegedly mauled by her own pit bulls. Finally, there is a report on the Blitzbokke’s triumph in Perth.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Firstly, there is a report on the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro’s plans to control the latest power tariff adjustment.

Then the paper speculates on the latest ANC leadership battle in the province that came to light during the weekend.

And thirdly, it is reported that the Bay is a possible choice for a Springbok/Barbarians showdown.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes foot and mouth disease has caused a huge problem with the delivery of lobola cattle in the province.

Reports a special development is planned to re-establish the Howick Falls as a tourist attraction.

And finally, there is also news about the Midmar swimming marathon.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports the former managing director of Namcor, Immanuel Mulunga, accuses the national oil company of unfounded disciplinary charges against him. He is now demanding 1.6-million-rand.

And secondly, the paper writes Namibia has taken immediate action and introduced tightened border biosecurity controls to prevent the foot-and-mouth virus from entering the country.