Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 25 August 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports alleged cartel boss Vusimuzi “Cat” Matlala wants to prevent the Madlanga Commission from accessing the affidavits in his failed plea deal. The paper writes the statements contain information about Matlala’s alleged involvement in a police tender scandal amounting to approximately 228-million-rand.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports president Cyril Ramaphosa admitted in his weekly newsletter that although the country has already had 400 days without load-shedding, economic growth remains sluggish.

And secondly, the website writes the MK Party wants the minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, to explain the alleged 19 appointments in his department that are believed to have ties to his party, the Patriotic Alliance.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Also writes about Matlala’s testimony before the Madlanga Commission. The paper reports he refused to comment on his relationship with the suspended deputy commissioner, Shadrack Sibiya, including allegations that he gave impala to the general. Matlala said he will not incriminate himself.

# Sowetan:

Reports more victims of Tshwane metro police officer, Peter Nonyane, and his lawyer wife, Charlotte Tibana, have come forward. The Maswangani royal family accuses Tibana of fraud with their late uncle’s estate of 4.6-million-rand.

# And The Citizen:

Writes there is discord in DA ranks in Ekurhuleni with the former mayor, Tania Campbell, who must answer questions about the management of tenders.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Firstly, reports about the murder of 89-year-old Hannetjie Koen of Bloemhof who died after she was attacked and assaulted in her home. Her son, Boeta, who came across his mother, is deeply shocked by the cruelty of the attack.

Secondly, the paper writes there is concern about the nationwide outbreak of measles. A medical doctor is warning people to get vaccinated.

And finally, there is news about a rare largemouth shark, which is only found in the deep sea and has now washed up in St Helena Bay.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports protesters gathered outside the court to prevent a man accused of sexually assaulting a mentally disabled boy from being granted bail.

And secondly, the paper writes the National Treasury has stopped the Nelson Mandela Bay metro from writing off 23-billion-rand.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Reports the bodies of two Richmond women who went missing last Monday have been found in separate shallow graves in the Emsengeni bush. The paper reports 34-year-old Pinky Shelembe and her friend, 44-year-old Ntombizane Mbanjwa, were reported missing after they disappeared in the Richmond area.

And secondly, it is reported that the burnt-out vehicle of missing Anesen Pillay of Pietermaritzburg has been found in France township. He was last seen shortly before two o’clock on Saturday afternoon when he attended a funeral at the Aryan Hall.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports a private company has taken over half of the date farming on the state’s Naute irrigation farm near Keetmanshoop for 233-million-rand.

And secondly, the paper writes since the establishment of the Wildlife Crimes Court in Otjiwarongo two years ago, the court has heard 50 cases, of which 47 resulted in convictions.