Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 14 October 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports mining output fell by 12.7-percent in August, indicating a negative impact on GDP for the third quarter. The paper notes that platinum group metals, coal, and iron ore are driving the annual contraction as the sector grapples with rising costs.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports the Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi says the former president and MK leader is recovering well and is already receiving visitors. However, he has not yet been discharged from Netcare St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg.

Secondly, the website reports two men were shot dead and five others wounded when shots were fired at them as they returned from a memorial service in Katlehong. The suspect handed himself over to the police after the incident and is in custody.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Also writes about the shooting in Katlehong. The paper reports Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi and provincial police commissioner lieutenant-general Tommy Mthombeni visited the scene. The circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the motive and the identities of the victims, are not yet known.

# Sowetan:

Reports the rising cost of living is making it increasingly difficult for families to put food on the table, thereby increasing the pressure on soup kitchens. While needs are being met in cities, it appears that rural communities are bearing the brunt of the situation.

# And The Citizen:

Writes about an entrepreneur who has to close his restaurant after losing thousands of rands because the government failed to settle accounts. He says that, despite having a contract with him, the government also purchased products from his competitors.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Firstly, also reports on Zuma’s alleged recovery.

Secondly, the paper writes that 14-year-old Allegra Styles from Gqeberha—who had gone missing alongside her boyfriend, 25-year-old Brent Naidoo—has been found safe in the city. Police are still searching for Naidoo.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports the upgrade of St George’s Park in Gqeberha, in preparation for the ICC Men’s World Cup to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia starting 4 October 2027, is progressing well.

Secondly, the paper writes about the Grasslands National Park in the Eastern Cape, noting it as a significant addition to South Africa’s protected areas.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Reports a six-year-old girl is fighting for her life after a teenage boy, armed with a knife, gained access to a classroom at a primary school for children with special needs in Umhlali, on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast. The boy stabbed her multiple times. According to reports, the teenager was responsible for the failed bombing attempt at Ballito Junction in March. He has been arrested by the police.

And finally, from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek: Reports Meatco is apparently asking the government for 85-million-rand to ensure the company’s survival. Amidst the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, there is also a proposal to cut employees’ salaries by a third for three months. These latest moves follow questions regarding spending on management meetings and benefits for the acting CEO, Albertus Aochamub.

And secondly, the newspaper reports on a teacher, Margrit Delport, who is retiring after 48 years.