Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 29 January 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports the head of the Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal, Major General Lesetja Semona’s testimony before the Madlanga Commission about his contact with controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala has unravelled.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports doctor Jean Redpath of the Dullah Omar Institute told the parliamentary ad hoc committee that the funding model of the police should be looked at because it does not appear that more money leads to less crime.

Secondly, the website writes the minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, says that the right-wing has apparently refrained from further spreading the white genocide lies in the USA.

And finally, there is news about Amor Vittone, who became engaged to Marius van Biljon.

GAUTENG:

# Sowetan:

Also reports on Semona’s testimony. The paper writes he never broke off contact with Matlala when he found out about his criminal past and even made a confidential police statement available to him.

# And The Citizen:

Writes there are questions about the books of the National Skills Fund. The past four years’ reports indicate failures in skills development and the spending of funds.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports the World Surfing League has cancelled the J-Bay Open for the 2026 Championship Tour, which has been held for 40 years, due to a lack of financial support. The event will now take place in New Zealand.

And secondly, the paper writes the police are investigating a case of arson after a devastating fire on Friday afternoon left nine classrooms and the administration building at the Augrabies Intermediate School in the Northern Cape in ruins. According to the newspaper, the fire started when learners were smoking.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports a 60-year-old man was murdered and robbed on a smallholding near Kouga.

And secondly, the paper writes a family from Nelson Mandela Bay has many questions after their son was killed on the highway while he was supposed to be in school.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes shop owners in Pietermaritzburg are concerned because more shops are being attacked by criminal gangs.

Additionally, it is reported that the Auditor-General has indicated an improvement in Msunduzi’s financial position.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Firstly, reports about the effect of inflation on households. An amount of one-thousand-rand that once comfortably carried households through weeks of basic necessities now disappears after a single shopping trip.

Then the paper writes the draft bill that regulates investments by local and foreign businessmen is suffocating Namibia’s economy and acting as a deterrent.

And finally, there is news about Namibia’s rainy season, which has now officially arrived.