The headlines of the leading newspapers on 06 October 2026:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports Sanlam is assuming full ownership of Santam, with the result that Santam is poised to delist its shares from the JSE after 62 years. Sanlam’s offer stands at 505-rand per share.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports on the legal battle between ANC NEC member Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and the party’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula. Dlamini-Zuma accused Mbalula of buying votes during the ANC leadership election. Mbalula initiated legal action against his comrade, and the matter is now before the High Court in Johannesburg.
Secondly, the website reports the acclaimed British author Jeffrey Archer has passed away at the age of 86.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Reports the Court of Appeal has ordered the state to pay compensation to a mentally disabled 17-year-old who was unlawfully arrested as an adult and detained for nearly three months. The minor was only released after his aunt submitted his birth certificate to the police. The court ruled that the claim for damages may proceed and that the state must pay the legal costs.
# Sowetan:
Leads with: “RECORD FUEL PRICE SHOCK”. The paper reports the fuel price hike will exacerbate the cost-of-living crisis, with COSATU warning that it will deal a devastating blow to household budgets.
# And The Citizen:
Reports that a learner wounded in the Wedela tavern massacre had to pay 27-thousand-rand at Leratong Hospital before receiving treatment. The paper reports the reason is the learner’s status as a foreign national; despite it being against the law, the hospital still demanded payment.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports on the ongoing verbal spat between US ambassador Brent Bozell and the minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola. Bozell now claims Lamola insulted him by saying that if he stopped engaging in the dialogue, he should “leave the kitchen.”
Secondly, the paper also reports on fuel prices. With diesel rising to 32-rand per litre, it has reached the highest level in the country’s history.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports medical doctors trained in Cuba are unable to find employment anywhere in the Eastern Cape. The provincial Department of Health states that its budget is exhausted and it is unable to assist.
Secondly, the paper writes about an entrepreneur from Gqeberha who has developed a special invention that prevents drugs from being surreptitiously added to drinks in bars or clubs.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Reports a South African pilot played a pivotal role in saving a Flydubai flight from a potential disaster on September 30. The co-pilot attacked the captain, and the South African pilot managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and restrain the attacker.
Secondly, the paper reports everything is ready for the annual Royal Agricultural Show, which begins tomorrow at the Royal Agricultural Society in Tweedie, Howick.
And finally, from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports Namib Desert Diamonds—known as NAMDIA—apparently cannot locate the security contract with the Rubicon Security Group that was in effect during the diamond heist on 18 January 2023, when diamonds worth 300-million-rand were stolen.
The paper writes the ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform had warned as early as September that the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in South Africa would spread to Namibia much faster than anticipated.
And finally, it is reported the European Union has approved Namibian beef exports worth approximately 400-million-rand that were certified shortly before the outbreak. However, new imports from Namibia’s previously foot-and-mouth disease-free zone have been temporarily suspended.