The headlines of the leading newspapers on 14 August 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the Department of International Relations and Cooperation has distanced itself from the comments of the head of the South African Defence Force, General Rudzani Maphwanya, regarding the country’s ties with Iran and its policy towards the US. According to the Iranian media, Maphwanya said that Pretoria and Tehran share “common goals”.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Firstly, reports about the sensational child sex case in Heidelberg. A lawyer is being charged after allegedly buying a 13-year-old girl from her mother. Evidence was presented yesterday about the cellphone information handled by an American expert.
Then the website writes the government is disappointed with a human rights report issued by the American government on South Africa. The government says it is based on distorted facts that are quoted out of context.
And finally, it is reported the ANC says it has no intention of abandoning black economic empowerment. The party commented on the DA’s economic plan.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Reports ActionSA has made an urgent appeal to the government to take action to remove the estimated two million illegal weapons from the community. There are currently about 2.7-million registered weapons in the country.
And secondly, the paper writes there are concerns about the witness protection program for witnesses in the Kiernan ‘AKA’ Forbes and Tebello ‘Tibz’ Motsoane murder case.
# Sowetan:
Reports the National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed that the metro police officer who murdered his girlfriend, Atlholanang Mosiane, will be tried again. He was released on a legal technicality a year into his previous sentence.
# And The Citizen:
Writes experts believe the DA’s decision to move away from racially driven policies such as BEE may cost the party black votes.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Leads with the government’s unhappiness over the US human rights report.
And secondly, it is reported the Paarl Magistrate’s Court has found former Springbok, Schalk Burger, and his son, Christiaan, guilty and fined them for failing to file tax returns. This includes Burger’s company, Welbedacht Wines.
EASTERN CAPE:
# Daily Despatch in East London:
Reports plans to export Eastern Cape meat directly to the United Arab Emirates depend on upgrades at Bisho Airport.
And secondly, the paper writes that it seems the date for the ANC’s Dr. WB Rubusana election conference has now finally been set.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes raw sewage is flowing into the Duzi River.
And reports the uMngeni municipality defends the increases in levies.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports four years after Riaan Booysen and Elizabeth Rossouw survived a violent attack in their home, the Swakopmund couple still live in fear and have lost all faith in the Namibian justice system.
Then the paper writes that more than nine thousand crimen injuria cases were allegedly committed nationwide via online platforms between April 2022 and April 2025.
And finally, it is reported that more than a thousand grade 1 and grade 8 learners in Erongo are looking for a place for 2026.