Salaries at five newspapers in the Eastern Cape went unpaid last week with publishing under threat should the issue not be resolved soon. The sale of five newspapers in the Eastern Cape was confirmed earlier this year, with the new management allegedly already running into financial difficulties. Arena Holdings sold the five publications to Ubuntu Media Holdings earlier this year, with the sale effective from 1 May. Staff reportedly had no forewarning of the looming crisis, with the previous owners now seemingly unable to assist. The staff continue to work, but resources are low as many of the junior staff reportedly scrape by month to month.