The headlines of the leading newspapers on 22 May 2026:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the Pula group intends to appeal the 3.4-billion-rand claim against Patrice Motsepe’s African Rainbow Capital. The claim stems from an alleged breach of a non-compete agreement with Pula.
# Mail & Guardian:
Reports the ANC is now looking for mayoral candidates outside the party’s structures.
# Die Papier:
Writes the blow that National Health Insurance received in the Constitutional Court this week is a huge setback for the project. There are currently at least 10 pending cases against the NHI or the NHI Act and experts say it could take up to 15 years to introduce NHI.
Secondly, it is reported that at least two of the workers whose salaries were allegedly stolen by the sacked Minister of Social Development, Sisisi Tolashe, are her relatives.
And finally, there is news about singer Brendon Peyper’s wedding plans.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has retained his leadership position in the province. He has been appointed as the ANC’s provincial convener with a view to the election.
And secondly, the website writes that convicted serial killer and former police officer Rosemary Ndlovu has been found guilty again. This time of conspiracy to commit murder. She is currently serving six life sentences.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Writes Independent Media and the MK Party have rejected allegations by the South African National Editors Forum about former Star editor Sifiso Mahlangu’s alleged involvement in the establishment of MK while he was newspaper editor. Mahlangu allegedly resigned without disclosing his political plans.
# Sowetan:
Reports both Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns have important matches this weekend that could determine the immediate future of both teams.
# And The Citizen:
Writes government plans to regulate private boreholes have been labelled as absurd with the potential to destroy hundreds of jobs.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports the South African Reserve Bank has seized more than four-million-rand in the bank accounts of activist Dan Roodt’s organisation Praag. According to the bank, the money was declared forfeit due to a breach of exchange control regulations. Roodt says he is seeking legal advice.
Secondly, the paper writes two South African Airways aircraft had narrow escapes in the Western Cape stormy weather. The flights were SAA 313 and SAA 327 which had to divert and land at other airports.
And finally, there is a report about a KwaZulu-Natal MEC who had his face painted on the side of water tankers.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports the DA in Nelson Mandela Bay has determined after an investigation that the local metro police have only four working vehicles out of a possible 22. The party says it has plans to expand the service fourfold.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes the South African Social Security Agency has taken significant steps against staff involved in fraud and corruption. A total of 43 have been dismissed for corruption and there are pending cases against another 65.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports visitors to Bloedkoppe in the Namib-Naukluft National Park have expressed concern about apparent mining activities taking place near the popular camping site in the desert.
And secondly, the paper writes runaway train carriages without a locomotive have caused a great scare for motorists between Usakos and Kranzberg.