Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 18 September 2025:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Is the first of many dailies and news websites to report today on the testimony of the provincial commissioner of KwaZulu-Natal, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, before the Madlanga Commission. The paper paints a bleak picture of justice lost as a result of suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu’s dissolution of an elite task force investigating high-profile murders and the withdrawal of 121 dockets.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports according to Mkhwanazi, Mchunu is reportedly in full control of a crime syndicate in Gauteng. He says the members of the dissolved task force will testify before the Madlanga Commission about this.

Then the website writes one of the accused in the Phala Phala theft case allegedly bought himself a flashy vehicle after the dollars went missing. Imanuwela David bought the vehicle the same weekend that the money disappeared.

And finally, it is reported that members of Parliament are upset because the Built Environment Council has still not released the report on the George building disaster.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Writes the Gauteng Department of Health has allocated 46.7-million-rand to two contractors responsible for fire detection and suppression systems in provincial hospitals over the past three years. However, questions remain about the effectiveness of this, as there are still many challenges in ensuring patient safety and compliance with fire safety regulations.

# Sowetan:

Reports infighting have broken out in the family of the late deputy president David Mabuza as different wives fight over his 44-million-rand legacy.

# And The Citizen:

Writes Mkhwanazi does not hold back at the Madlanga Commission and says he has evidence to back up everything he says.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports as Netwerk24 on the Madlanga Commission and the Phala Phala theft case.

EASTERN CAPE:

# Daily Despatch in East London:

Reported that Pefferville residents clashed with police during protests over power outages.

And secondly, the paper writes there is currently uncertainty about important ANC regions in the Eastern Cape’s electoral conferences.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes Mkhwanazi warned at the Madlanga Commission that the entire justice system could collapse.

And reports that foreign citizens are being threatened again.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports the ministry of Justice is trying again for the extradition of Marén de Klerk, who is involved in the Fishrot scandal, after Namibia’s initial attempt failed in South Africa last year.

And secondly, the paper writes Ben Freeth, who advocates for the reopening of the SADC tribunal, is currently on a 350-kilometre horse ride from Okahandja and through the Skeleton Coast Park to Cape Cross to raise awareness.