The headlines of the leading newspapers on 14 October 2025:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports suspended deputy national commissioner Shadrack Sibiya told Parliament’s ad hoc committee that the political murders task force was kept outside his command, the dossiers were centralised, and operational decisions were made outside formal police channels. He also testified that ministerial requests to the police management cannot be refused.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Also reports on Sibiya’s testimony. The page writes Sibiya says he was simply carrying out the instructions of the commissioner of police, Fannie Masemola, in disbanding the police murder task force. He says the instruction came from minister Senzo Mchunu.
Then the website writes about the horrific bus accident in Limpopo that claimed the lives of more than 40. According to reports, there was room for 61 passengers, but there were 91 on board at the time of the accident. A total of 30 of the survivors are in a critical condition.
And finally, it is reported South Africa has expressed hope that peace in Gaza will lead to an independent Palestinian state that can exist alongside Israel.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Writes several fatal accidents have occurred on the N1 near Louis Trichardt in Limpopo in recent years, where the latest bus accident claimed more than 40 lives. The paper reports that some observers argue that improved infrastructure and stricter supervision could have prevented the tragedy.
# Sowetan:
Also reports on the bus accident at Louis Trichardt in Limpopo. Surviving passengers say the driver was careless and the bus was overloaded. Some of the victims have not seen their families in Zimbabwe and Malawi for three years.
# And The Citizen:
Leads with: “THE WAR IS OVER”. These were president Donald Trump’s words to the Israeli Parliament after the prisoner exchange began successfully.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Has the same lead as Netwerk24 about Sibiya, who insists he is only carrying out orders.
And secondly, the paper writes about the racing pigeon, Salvo Rose, who fetched 550-thousand-rand at an auction in Bloemfontein.
EASTERN CAPE:
# Daily Despatch in East London:
Reports there have been just over 20 deaths in police custody in the past year.
And writes thousands of learners have stayed home due to a boycott by school transport services.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes the prisoner exchange between Israel and Hamas paves the way for peace.
And secondly, there is news about teachers from KwaZulu-Natal receiving national recognition.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports widespread land grabs in Groot Aub are considered by the Windhoek municipality to be some of the worst incidents since independence in Namibia.
Then the paper writes frustrated residents of Katutura who have been at the mercy of overflowing drains for years have dumped buckets of sewage on the Windhoek municipality’s doorstep.
And finally, there is news about a garden of hope created by volunteers at the mental health unit of the Windhoek Central Hospital.