The headlines of the leading newspapers on 08 May 2026:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, says South Africa is ready to discuss the incidence of xenophobia in South Africa with the African Union. The paper writes that videos of protests from South Africa are worrying African leaders.
# Mail & Guardian:
Writes president Cyril Ramaphosa’s life could change dramatically today if the Constitutional Court rules against him in the controversial Phala Phala case.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports the minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, said in Parliament that South Africa has no plans to suspend trade ties with Israel.
And secondly, the paper writes the Madlanga Commission heard that there were no security measures at the Hawks office in Port Shepstone, KwaZulu-Natal where 200-million-rand worth of cocaine was stolen in 2021.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Reports on the countrywide severe weather conditions and especially the effects of the flooding which has led to the closure of many roads and in some cases to such an extent that they are impassable. This is also hampering the rescue work that is being done.
# Sowetan:
Reports Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero is in a predicament after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana blocked huge salary increases in the city. The paper writes Morero will have to plead with the Treasury today after Samwu threatened strikes.
# And The Citizen:
Reports that the government took eight days, during which the hantavirus could spread freely, to begin tracing the passengers of the plane that brought the two people with the virus to South Africa.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports the national Department of Health has confirmed that four people in the Western Cape may have the hantavirus. No further details were released. The WHO says the outbreak is serious but the chances of transmission are slim.
And secondly, the paper writes about a father and two daughters who were attacked and robbed in an e-taxi on the R-300 to Delft. After they were rescued, a vehicle crashed into them and Randall Willemse and his two minor daughters had to receive hospital treatment.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports three police constables were killed after a male officer allegedly forcibly entered a house where his former girlfriend, also a serving constable, was with another male colleague. All three officers were killed in a shootout.
And secondly, the paper also reports extensively on the floods in the Eastern Cape. It specifically focuses on the plight of the displaced.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes parents and learners protested against the appointment of Llewelyn Braging as head of Nottingham Road Primary School. He was previously accused of sexual assault at Merchiston Preparatory School, but the charges were dismissed.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports Namibia’s new Financial Sector Act will radically reform the operation of pension funds.
Then the paper writes rising fuel prices mean commuters will also have to pay more for taxi and bus fares.
And finally, it is reported that at the Waterberg resort, staff have now been forced to wash the linen by hand after Namibia Wildlife Resorts decided to change the washing machine supplier overnight.