Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 19 March 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports the Competition Commission has been accused in Parliament of not acting fairly in its decision-making process. The commission has defended its decision on the Maziv/Vodacom merger worth 13-billion-rand.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports EFF leader Julius Malema and ActionSA were implicated in evidence before the Madlanga Commission in the provision of a tender for security services for the Tshwane metro. They were involved in the process by the metro’s chief financial officer, Gareth Mnisi.

And secondly, the website writes the minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, says the new national water crisis committee will first pay attention to Johannesburg and other municipalities where the biggest problems occur.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Writes the MK Party has reappointed former judge John Hlophe as deputy president and parliamentary leader.

And secondly, it is reported Gauteng is suffering from a shortage of essential medical experts.

# Sowetan:

Reports the electricity of 36 schools in Gauteng has been cut off over arrears, and in Ekurhuleni, another 135 schools have received reminders. Equal Education says schools can no longer keep up with costs due to the current funding model.

# And The Citizen:

Writes according to a report by the Auditor-General, 114-million-rand is being paid to ghost teachers in the North West.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports there are many questions about the legality of changing the place name Graaff-Reinet to Robert Sobukwe. The paper writes a list of 38-thousand objections was ignored, and the announcement of the process was also flawed.

And secondly, the paper writes about the death of 66-year-old Anton Bougas, the father of the Kleuterzone founder, Anthonie Bougas.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports there are questions about the Defence Force not yet deployed in the northern parts of Nelson Mandela Bay.

And secondly, the paper writes about the negative impact of erratic power supply on the Eastern Cape motor industry.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes the premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thami Ntuli, has pledged his support to the police chief in the province, lieutenant general Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

And secondly, it is reported a warning has been issued to consumers to pay attention to the expiry dates on food.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports an investigation into the aviation industry shows a growing shortage of pilots and instructors is disrupting training and operations.

And secondly, the paper writes the Rössmund Golf Course and Club near Swakopmund was sold at a judicial auction for 41-million-rand after a failed court attempt to stop the auction.