The headlines of the leading newspapers on 20 April 2026:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports Sassa has issued a serious warning about the growing fraud in the payment of grants. The agency says it will take strict action to protect the vulnerable.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says two senior members of the party, Leon Schreiber and Ryan Coetzee, will oversee the party’s parliamentary responsibilities while he continues as mayor of Cape Town.
Then the website writes 41-year-old Leano Vergotine of Ceres has argued in court that his alleged rape of about 17 boys took place with their consent.
And finally there is news about the Blitzbokke’s triumph in Hong Kong.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Writes president Donald Trump has repeated his statements about white genocide in South Africa and not even the new ambassador to the USA, Roelf Meyer, will, according to experts, make him abandon the false rhetoric.
# Sowetan:
Reports on the arrest of the deputy commissioner of the Ekurhuleni metro police, Julius Mkhwanazi, on charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice. The paper writes other senior managers, such as the city manager, are also expected to be arrested.
# And The Citizen:
Writes all that is visible of the Clayville social housing project in Tembisa is rubble and weeds. A total of 122-million-rand has already been spent on the project and a further 238-million rand is needed to complete it.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Firstly, reports on a new charge that will be laid against EFF leader Julius Malema following his statements about the verdict against him. The charge is reportedly being laid by a lawyer at the Equality Court in Johannesburg, and the EFF is also included.
And secondly, the paper writes about the cold, wet weekend in the Western Cape with reports of snow on the Matroosberg.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports the residents of Makhanda have sent a petition to president Cyril Ramaphosa complaining that they are living in a pigsty.
And secondly, the paper spoke to some of the participants in the Ironman competition this past weekend.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes that the Green Hills Mall in Empangeni has been renamed the Prince Buthelezi Mall in honour of Mangosuthu Buthelezi. The mall opens on 30 April.
And secondly, the paper reports on the new Prevention of Illegal Eviction and Unlawful Occupation of Land Amendment Bill, which is now under discussion.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports a legal dispute between coastal tour operators and the ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism has escalated after a High Court order confirmed that operators can be forced to compete for their own businesses.