The headlines of the leading newspapers on 09 July 2026:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports National Treasury is investigating transversal contracts. This follows evidence found on a phone by the Madlanga Commission linking a former chief executive, Molefe Fani, to alleged bribery and contract manipulation.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports Johannesburg mayor, Dada Morero, has admitted that the city has less than two weeks of cash in the bank. This follows after Treasury suspended payments to 69 municipalities, of which Johannesburg is one.
And secondly, the website writes that Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi says cuts in the health sector only leave victims.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Writes five members of the police’s Visible Policing Task Force have appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Regional Court on a corruption charge after they allegedly demanded a bribe of 100-thousand-rand from a supermarket owner to avoid arrest.
# Sowetan:
Reports the government says in light of the Ebola outbreak in the DRC it is ready to handle any incidents in South Africa. A total of 36 hospitals are prepared for Ebola cases and the Border Authority is on the lookout for any possible incidents.
# And The Citizen:
Leads with: “BEWARE THE TSOTSIS IN SUITS”. The paper writes the EFF has requested Parliament to urgently investigate the administrator of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, Hlengani Mathebula’s alleged travel expenses of 200-thousand-rand.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Firstly, reports the Sharks’ Junior Springbok prop, Kai Pratt, has tested positive for an anabolic steroid. The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport has confirmed the positive test.
Then the paper writes there is great unhappiness among the municipalities whose payments have been withheld due to financial mismanagement. Various political parties and unions have criticised the government and say that service delivery at municipalities will now deteriorate even further.
And finally, there is news about people being poisoned by wild mushrooms. The Western Cape Department of Health has issued a warning after five cases have been reported.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports the Eastern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Zolile Williams, says saving Nelson Mandela Bay is like “saving a pig from the mud”.
And secondly, the paper writes a professor is now also involved in the court case over false qualifications.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes the 15-year-old boy of Zimbali who allegedly tried to blow up the Ballito Junction Shopping Centre has been released. He shared his manifesto on Telegram before the incident in which he tells his sad life story.
And secondly, it is reported the Treasury has defended its actions against municipalities.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports only 65-percent of graduates in Namibia are finding work. According to the National Council for Higher Education, employment has fallen from 83-percent in 2017.
Secondly, the paper writes the backlog in processing fingerprints has resurfaced after police confirmed that fraud and murder accused, Abner Mateus, has eight pending criminal cases against him, none of which have yet resulted in a conviction.
And finally, it is reported a woman has appeared in the Swakopmund Magistrate’s Court in connection with an alleged scheme in which deaths were faked to claim insurance payouts.