Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 31 March 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports the MK Party failed to block Shamila Batohi’s pension payment. The court dismissed the urgent application after the Presidency argued that the case had no grounds.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports five suspects have been arrested for the murder of Steven Gruzd. He was affiliated with the South African Institute of International Affairs.

Secondly, the website writes about the violent protest against the coronation of Nigerian Igbo king in KuGompo City [East London]. Several vehicles were burned, and businesses of Nigerians were damaged.

And finally, there is news about the latest Ipsos opinion poll, which determined that almost 50-percent of South Africans are not represented by a political party.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Writes Gauteng MEC for Education, Matome Chiloane, has announced plans to appoint a law firm to conduct an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse of a wall at Lerutle Primary School in Daveyton. During the incident on March 26, 8-year-old Grade 3 learner, Lwazi Motuse, died.

# Sowetan:

Reports commuters are in for a shock as taxi fares are set to skyrocket. There is also talks of fuel rationing, making it difficult for transport companies to operate. The paper writes bus companies have appealed to the government for help.

# And The Citizen:

Writes the government is under pressure from the agricultural industry to scrap fuel tariffs so that agricultural production does not collapse.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports the rush for fuel has begun. There are already filling stations in the Western Cape where the availability of diesel and domestic gas is limited. The paper writes the trend is also particularly prevalent in the rural areas. This follows after president Cyril Ramaphosa instructed the cabinet over the weekend to find solutions to the crisis.

And secondly, the paper writes about an accident on the R-45 between the Swartland and the West Coast in which six people died and others were injured. The accident occurred on Sunday afternoon when a Volkswagen Polo and an Isuzu bakkie collided head-on.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports the Eastern Cape citrus industry is keeping a close eye on the Middle Eastern conflict, as it may have a negative impact on exports.

And secondly, the paper writes a break-in and theft at the Red Cross in the Eastern Cape is seriously affecting the activities of the organisation.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes about the fuel price shock that awaits consumers over the Easter weekend, and reports on the murder of a pregnant mother and nurse from Northdale, Aleyka Shaik.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports more than one-billion-rand was spent by March 2026 by the ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs on grants for 23-thousand-694 veterans.

Secondly, the paper writes patients say dignitaries should visit all state hospitals and not just the parts that have been renovated.