The headlines of the leading newspapers on 30 September 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the Special Investigation Unit has uncovered a web of corruption at Tembisa Hospital, involving crooked officials from both the Gauteng Health Department and the hospital. The SIU’s interim report identifies at least three main syndicates and several smaller groups that have systematically looted budgets.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to support an American peace plan for the Gaza Strip. Hamas has not yet agreed to the plan. If both parties support the agreement, the war will be stopped immediately.
Then the website writes about the Madlanga Commission. The head of crime intelligence, lieutenant general Dumisani Khumalo, testified before the commission that a syndicate known as the “Big 5” has not only infiltrated the police but also the political sphere and the legal system.
And finally, it is reported that the first summer rain fell over Gauteng on Sunday and more rainfall is forecast.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Reports there have been numerous calls for whistleblower Babita Deokaran to be posthumously honoured after she launched the corruption investigation at Tembisa. She was murdered in 2021 shortly after she brought the corruption to the attention of the authorities.
# Sowetan:
Gives a full overview of the levels of fraud at Tembisa Hospital where nearly two-billion-rand was embezzled. The paper reports on a fleet of luxury cars including a 4.2-million-rand Bentley. There are also properties in the Zimbali Estate worth 94-million-rand and in Bantry Bay worth 88.5-million-rand.
# And The Citizen:
Also writes about Tembisa Hospital. The paper reports the Special Investigation Unit says the investigation is not yet concluded and further fraud and higher amounts of money may come to light.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Leads with Khumalo’s testimony before the Madlanga Commission.
And secondly, it is reported that there are many questions about two young baboons that made their appearance in Durban’s harbour. The possibility is that they may have been smuggled from Cape Town.
EASTERN CAPE:
# Daily Despatch in East London:
Reports that learners in Mthatha have taken to the streets to protest sexual harassment at schools.
And secondly, the paper writes a second senior executive of the Buffalo City metro has been fired for complaining about management.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes that the Special Investigation Unit has again struck at murder accused Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala.
And reports about a nanny who was arrested after she kidnapped a child.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, says the National Housing Corporation is at risk of failure if it does not drastically speed up the delivery of houses.
Then the paper writes that with Italian involvement, hope flickers again for the revival and expansion of the Ondangwa North Tannery built in 2001.
And finally, there is news about the freedom icon Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, who will be honoured with a statue on Robben Island, where he was a political prisoner.