Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 03 March 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports the director-general of Health, Sandile Buthelezi, and other senior officials have appeared in court for alleged fraud. The state claims that Buthelezi allegedly misused money from the global fund.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports the Ekurhuleni metro is now approaching the Public Protector to investigate a tender awarded to the wife of the controversial Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala. The tender for skills development was awarded to Tsakane Matlala.

Then the website writes the US says it is not ready to deploy ground forces against Iran at this stage. President Donald Trump says the US attacked because Iran’s missiles could also reach Europe.

And finally, it is reported that the EFF has now also become involved in the Western Cape High Court case to challenge the Land Expropriation Act. The DA, AfriForum and Vaderlandstigting have brought the case.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Firstly, writes about a building that collapsed in Ormonde in Johannesburg. At least six workers died in the incident.

And secondly, the paper reports the mayor of Johannesburg, Dada Morero, is currently waiting for the ANC’s national executive to make a decision on his future in office.

# Sowetan:

Reports three senior officials from the Department of Health have appeared in court over the awarding of a tender in 2023. The paper writes that when the tender was awarded, the company, Ithani Amen, was only a week old and did not even have a VAT registration number.

# And The Citizen:

Writes about an agricultural project in Mpumalanga that was created in honour of the late deputy president David Mabuza. Nothing remains of the project. Even the growing tunnels have been stripped bare.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports that it has come to light that an Iranian warship sank during the controversial BRICS naval exercise in Cape Town.

And secondly, the paper writes Zurenah Smit, who is charged with the murder of her husband Stefan, has applied for bail again. She says the medical service at Pollsmoor Prison is inadequate.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Firstly, reports about the ongoing dispute over the transformer of Nelson Mandela Bay that was leased out. The paper writes the municipality now wants the court to intervene in the dispute.

And secondly, the paper spoke to Eastern Cape families about their experiences during the attacks on Iran.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes car parts were stolen from the Msunduzi Municipality.

And writes the war in the Middle East is already hurting the South African fuel price

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports public sector unions have rejected the five-percent salary increase for civil servants, describing it as “meaningless”. They say the increase will leave them worse off when the increased deductions take effect.

And secondly, the paper writes convicted murderer, Jandré Dippenaar, who was ordered to pay about five-million-rand in a civil claim to German citizen, Antonia Joschko, will not be able to pay the money directly to her.