The headlines of the leading newspapers on 21 September 2026:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the Public Service Commission will ask the Treasury for an additional 435-million-rand following the expansion of its mandate. Under recent amendments to the Public Service Commission Act, municipalities have now been placed under the commission’s oversight.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports Zimbabwean businessman Lawrence Mudzingayama—who threatened to shoot three women at a Sandton restaurant after they rejected his advances—was arrested by police yesterday but released on a warning.
And secondly, the website reports the executive director of the FW de Klerk Foundation, Christo van der Rheede, resigned abruptly after speaking out against US sanctions regarding affirmative action and land reform.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Reports acting Police minister Firoz Cachalia has requested lieutenant-general Dumisani Khumalo of the police’s Intelligence Division and KwaZulu-Natal Commissioner lieutenant-general Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi to assist with murder investigations in Ekurhuleni. They will support the head of the investigation team, lieutenant-general Hilda Senthumule, and her team.
# Sowetan:
Also reports on the involvement of Khumalo and Mkhwanazi, and covers the story of the Zimbabwean man who threatened to shoot women in Sandton.
# And The Citizen:
Reports Voëlpan near Allanridge in the Free State is contaminated with arsenic, lead, and uranium, and residents of Nyakallong are exposed to this health hazard daily. Even court rulings have no effect, and the local government only makes promises.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports the police have arrested three persons of interest for questioning regarding the Ekurhuleni murders. Cachalia states there is not yet sufficient corroborating evidence to assume the murders are the work of a serial killer.
Secondly, the paper reports veteran motor racer Marcel Angel, 62, died on Saturday during the National Extreme Festival at the Killarney Raceway. He was involved in an accident during the Extreme Supercars category race.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports a fierce contest is expected in the local government elections in Nelson Mandela Bay. A total of 38 political parties and nine independent candidates will participate in the election.
And secondly, the paper reports two rape survivors, Alison Botha and Andy Kawa, have spoken out strongly against the Ekurhuleni murders and the wave of gender-based violence in South Africa.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Reports there is great concern regarding the outbreak and spread of m-pox in South Africa. By the end of last week, there were 18 confirmed cases and one probable case. Most cases are in the Western Cape.
And secondly, it reports on the funeral of religious leader, social activist, philanthropist, former councillor, and businessman Victor Pillay. He was described as a visionary who dedicated a large part of his life to serving his community.
And finally, from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports the minister of Justice and Labour Relations, Wise Immanuel, says the Namibian legal system is hampered by delays, bureaucracy, inefficiency, capacity constraints, funding shortages, and a “silo” mentality. He says the system is in urgent need of reform.
And secondly, the paper reports three days before the observance of World Rhino Day and 13 days after his 53rd birthday renowned rhino conservationist Jaco Muller died in a gyrocopter crash on the farm Chorab in the Outjo district.