Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 05 February 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports Witness F claimed before the Madlanga Commission that the suspended deputy national police commissioner, lieutenant general Shadrack Sibiya, pressured controversial businessman Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala to change his sworn statement.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Firstly, reports on 40-year-old Quin van den Bergh, who admitted that he stabbed his ex-fiancée, 31-year-old Barbara Groenewald, in 2022 and then set fire to her house. She died from stab and burn wounds. The case is now pending in the Klerksdorp Magistrate’s Court.

Secondly, the paper writes about the decision by DA leader John Steenhuisen to withdraw from the party’s leadership race. The mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, has indicated that he would be interested in making himself available.

And finally, it is reported the missing Mariana Kotze from Marloth Park has been located in Kempton Park after she may have travelled there by bus. It was previously reported that she had been kidnapped.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Writes the family fight over the late deputy president David Mabuza’s pension fund continues. Mabuza’s daughter Tamara Silinda is demanding half of what was bequeathed to his wife Nonhlanhla Patience Mnisi. She says her mother, Emunah Silinda, was married to Mabuza.

And secondly, the paper reports on doctor Wouter Basson challenging the Health Professions Council of South Africa over his registration.

# Sowetan:

Also reports on Steenhuisen’s exit and says Hill-Lewis and Solly Msimanga are possible candidates.

# And The Citizen:

Writes Steenhuisen’s decision has sparked a debate in the party about Helen Zille’s overbearing leadership role in the DA.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports extensively on Steenhuisen’s decision, the state of affairs in the DA, and Hill-Lewis’s intention to make himself available as a leadership candidate. Former leader Tony Leon says Steenhuisen made the right decision for himself, the party, and the country.

And secondly, the paper writes that Sibusiso Sizatu, Tshepo Renaldo Mohale, and Andrea Myburg are safe after the yacht Angel Wings ran into serious trouble and sank during the Cape2Rio race.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports the alleged murderer, Mervyn Bock who is on trial for the murder of his girlfriend Angelique Strydom, has his peculiar Google searches revealed in court.

And secondly, the paper writes the leaders in the automotive industry have met to discuss the future of the industry in the Eastern Cape.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes Steenhuisen cited as one of the reasons for his withdrawal from the DA leadership race that he now wants to devote his full attention to combating foot-and-mouth disease.

And secondly, it is reported the air conditioning in Grey’s Hospital has stopped working amid the heatwave that has now hit Pietermaritzburg.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports opposition leaders have accused the government of designing laws for the interests of those in power, rather than for the country’s long-term needs.

And secondly, the paper writes bouquets made of banknotes are illegal and have financial consequences for the country.