Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 18 February 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports MTN has taken full control of the mobile infrastructure company IHS Holding Limited for an amount of 35-billion-rand. IHS will be integrated into the group as an independent entity with its own management.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports the ANC in Tshwane has uncovered alleged large-scale corruption after the 2023/24 financial year’s financial statements were not submitted on time. According to the metro, 3.6-billion-rand was spent irregularly.

Secondly, the website writes investors in the business wings of South Africa’s largest rugby unions are looking for answers about the South African Rugby Union’s failed equity transaction with the Ackerley Sports Group.

And finally, there is news about the death of the American civil rights leader, Jesse Jackson.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Also reports on the ANC’s revelation about alleged corruption in Tshwane. However, the DA says it is just a ploy to get rid of members who do not support their agenda.

# Sowetan:

Reports hundreds of young people are queuing in Limpopo to submit their applications for positions in the army. In some cases, parents are helping their children to stand in line.

# And The Citizen:

Writes legal experts warn Johannesburg residents not to sign any instalment agreements with the City of Johannesburg for overdue municipal debts. This may make residents accept responsibility for money they do not owe.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports minister of Water and Sanitation, Pemmy Majodina, says the country has enough water. She says maintenance and investment in water infrastructure are the biggest problems. The paper writes Stellenbosch is now also considering introducing water restrictions.

And secondly, the paper writes the first shipment of one-million doses of foot-and-mouth disease vaccine may arrive in the country from Argentina this weekend. A further five-million doses are expected in March. About 14-million cattle need to be vaccinated.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports Eastern Cape unemployment is now a full-blown disaster that is completely out of control.

And secondly, the paper writes an expert from the Bay is a key player in the relocation of rhinos.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes with several major events taking place this weekend, there is allegedly no money available to pay road traffic officers overtime.

And secondly, it is reported older residents in particular are suffering the brunt of the municipality’s accounting errors.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports a high-level delegation consisting of, among others, the Magistrates’ Commission and the Magistrates and Judges Association of Namibia met with the minister of Justice, Wise Emmanuel, to request that a notice on service benefits in the Government Gazette be withdrawn.

And secondly, the paper writes the Namibian police chief, lieutenant general Joseph Shikongo, says that the supervision of detainees should be transferred to the Namibian Correctional Service.