The headlines of the leading newspapers on 05 May 2026:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the Competition Commission has referred a complaint about collusion in the pay-television market against MultiChoice and Altech to the Competition Tribunal for prosecution. The paper writes MultiChoice could lose up to 4.1-billion-rand in this case.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports the minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Angie Motshekga, says South Africa’s arms exports have tripled as a result of the global conflict. However, she says the government is concerned about the control of arms exports.
Then the website writes the DA has criticised president Cyril Ramaphosa for his informal visit to his Zimbabwean counterpart, Emmerson Mnangagwa. The party says the Zimbabwean government is trying to consolidate its dictatorship through legislation.
And finally, it is reported the National Student Financial Aid Scheme has been placed under administration after serious management, financial and operational challenges within the institution. The minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, has announced the appointment of professor Hlengani Mathebula of the Tshwane University of Technology as scheme administrator.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Also writes about Manamela placing the National Student Financial Aid Scheme under administration due to instability, audit failures and operational collapse.
# And Sowetan:
Reports the ministry of Health has reassured the public about the outbreak of hantavirus on board a passenger ship bound for Cape Verde. The ministry says the virus is not easily transmitted from person to person.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports the alleged murderer of insolvency lawyer, Bouwer van Niekerk, has appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court. The state alleges 33-year-old Mukelani Ntombela shot and killed Van Niekerk in the boardroom of the SmitSew Attorneys in Saxonwold on September 5th last year. The paper reports Ntombela’s lawyer withdrew when he heard who the victim was.
And secondly, the paper writes the South African Weather Service has warned that a low-pressure system could bring heavy rain, damaging winds and even snow to large parts of the country this week.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports Ramaphosa supported the actions of Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Babalwa Lobishe during a visit to the city.
And secondly, the paper also writes about the countrywide inclement weather that is expected.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes the Department of Home Affairs has stepped up its crackdown on corruption, with new arrests bringing the total number of dismissals and disciplinary actions since July 2024 to more than 60. The crackdown is being carried out in collaboration with the Special Investigations Unit.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Firstly, reports the community of Khorixas is in mourning after a horrific accident that claimed the lives of 11 people in the blink of an eye.
And secondly, the paper writes total confusion reigned at Sossusvlei over the long weekend when self-drive visitors were first told they were not allowed to visit Dooievlei on their own, only to later hear that they were allowed to do so on their own steam.