The headlines of the leading newspapers on 20 May 2026:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports residents in Johannesburg face a cold winter after Eskom threatened to cut off power over a 5.3-billion-rand debt. The electricity supplier says the city has not met its repayment agreement.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Firstly, has news about three court cases, namely the murder trial of Japie Claassens of Vioolsdrif in the Northern Cape, the case of Aletta Rose of Belville who allegedly cut off her sister’s head and hands, and the murder of Kirstin Kluyts whose body was found in George Lea Park in Sandton.
And secondly, there is news about Rassie Erasmus’ national order that he did not receive himself.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Writes the MK Party has ordered its former national spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, to immediately stop using party resources, including bank accounts, social media platforms and official communication channels. His dismissal stems from allegations of misconduct and sowing division within party ranks.
# Sowetan:
Reports Johannesburg mayor Dada Morero has requested an urgent meeting with the minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, to discuss the city’s power crisis and prevent power cuts.
# And The Citizen:
Writes it has come to light that nearly 71-million rand has disappeared from the Compensation Fund in the past two years. This is attributed to weak controls that failed to uncover fraud.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports there are many questions about the exoneration of major general Wally Rhoode for his part in the Phala Phala investigation. He was found not guilty of any misconduct in an internal disciplinary hearing while the Independent Police Investigation Directorate found the opposite.
And secondly, the paper writes the estimated fuel prices for June indicate a relief in the price of diesel and a slight increase in the price of petrol.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports a senior police officer from Gqeberha is being investigated after allegations of misconduct and abuse of power came to light. The investigation also focuses on the colonel’s alleged sexual relationship with a sergeant.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes the premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thami Ntuli, will intervene at the Northdale Hospital after the Msunduzi Metro threatened to cut the power supply. The hospital owes the municipality about 12-million-rand and a forensic investigation is currently underway.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports certain life insurance payouts in Namibia may now be protected from creditors, even when a policyholder dies deeply in debt or insolvent.
And secondly, the paper writes the Windhoek High Court is hearing a medical negligence case with a claim of 17-million-rand by the mother of a four-year-old girl who was allegedly left blind, paralysed