The Witness

The Witness, formerly known as The Natal Witness, is a daily newspaper based in Pietermaritzburg. It primarily caters to readers in Pietermaritzburg, Durban, and the surrounding inland regions of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This publication holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously published newspaper in the country, with its first edition released on February 27, 1846. Up until the year 2000, it was the last mainstream daily newspaper in South Africa that was independently owned, before Media24, a subsidiary of Naspers, acquired a 50 percent stake. In July 2010, Media24 finalized the purchase of the remaining 50 percent shares in the Natal Witness Printing and Publishing company.

National

English

Newspaper

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#76002

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#541

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#37

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Pietermaritzburg man arrested for the alleged rape of a 96-year-old grandmother

5 days ago | witness.co.za | Ntombizethu Ngcobo

A 42-year-old Pietermaritzburg man has been arrested for allegedly raping a 96-year-old grandmother in her home, in an incident that has reignited urgent calls for greater protection of elderly women from gender-based violence. The grandmother, who lives alone, is now receiving counselling and has been relocated to a place of safety following the attack, which took place in the early hours of Sunday morning.
‘Education is the way out’ — parolee urges pupils to reject crime | The Witness

6 days ago | witness.co.za | Ntombizethu Ngcobo

Disadvantaged pupils at Copesville’s Umsilinga Primary School on Wednesday received 100 pairs of shoes and blankets, donated by the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) in partnership with the Liberty Group, as part of a community upliftment initiative. The initiative was launched to provide meaningful support to pupils from this school, located in a community affected by deep-rooted social challenges and high crime levels.
Double murder victims’ bodies found in Willowfountain

6 days ago | witness.co.za | Ntombizethu Ngcobo

A Caluza family has been left with unanswered questions surrounding events leading to the death of their loved one and another man, whose bodies were found in Willowfountain on Tuesday. A passerby found the bodies of Njabulo Ziqubu (47) and Bongani Khumalo (51) from Harewood, Caluza, in a field at KwaPhupha area in Willowfountain. A family member, who asked not to be named, said they last saw Ziqubu last Saturday.
Young business owners to showcase their exhibitions at the Vulindlela Youth Market

1 week ago | witness.co.za | Ntombizethu Ngcobo

Young people must remain encouraged to start their own businesses to uplift themselves. This is a message from some of the 65 entrepreneurs who will be showcasing their businesses from agriculture, clothing, food, transportation and manufacturing at the Vulindlela Youth Market, which is set to take place on Sunday at kwaManyakeni Sports ground, KwaMafunze in Elandskop.
KZN Legislature demands probe into director-general's resignation

1 week ago | witness.co.za | Clive Ndou

The chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature’s premier portfolio committee, Mbali Frazer, has called on Premier Thami Ntuli to probe claims that Dr Nonhlanhla Mkhize, who recently resigned as the provincial government’s director-general (DG), did so after allegedly being threatened with violence by a subordinate. Mkhize, who tendered her resignation last week, stepped down from her top position on Monday.
Opinion | The world is closing down

1 week ago | witness.co.za | Gwynne Dyer

Straws in the wind: I recently ran across a post by the CEO of a nationwide professional association in Canada. People like him are used to hopping across the U.S. border for various meetings several times a month, but he was remarking on what people had been talking about at the association’s recent annual conference in a big Canadian city. What his post said was: “Consensus here is that it’s risky to travel to [U.S. flag emoji] but if you have to go, take a burner phone.
National Assembly approves Budget 3.0 in Parliament

1 week ago | witness.co.za | Clive Ndou

The National Assembly on Wednesday approved Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s Budget 3.0 during a sitting that saw members of the government of national unity (GNU) rally behind the Finance minister and the latest fiscal framework. The sitting followed the standing committee on Finance’s recent endorsement of the fiscal framework and revenue proposals tabled by Godongwana in Parliament last month.
Contractors plead for procurement and payment efficiency from govt

2 weeks ago | witness.co.za | Clive Ndou

Frustrated contractors in KwaZulu-Natal have sounded the alarm over the provincial government’s handling of procurement processes, warning that delayed payments and poor project management were crippling small and emerging businesses. Speaking at the Contractors Imbizo in uMhlanga, north of Durban, on Monday, service providers detailed how stalled project approvals, insufficient contract opportunities, and payment delays were pushing many companies to the brink of closure.
Disaster teams activated ahead of KZN cold front

2 weeks ago | witness.co.za | Chris Ndaliso

KwaZulu-Natal is bracing for extreme weather over the coming days, with disaster management teams across the province placed on high alert ahead of expected snowfall, rain, and strong winds. The warning comes as thousands of visitors arrive in the province for the Comrades Marathon on Sunday.
'There is no medicine shortage crisis' — Ntuli | The Witness

2 weeks ago | witness.co.za | Clive Ndou

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has launched an investigation into claims that several public health facilities in the province have run out of essential medication, leaving patients at risk. This comes amid complaints from political parties and members of the public since the beginning of the year.