The headlines of the leading newspapers on 22 September 2026:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the US Ambassador to South Africa, Brent Bozell, says former president Thabo Mbeki is the most suitable person to break the diplomatic deadlock between the US and South Africa. He says the former president understands the mechanisms of global diplomacy.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports the Madlanga Commission’s task team has arrested a 59-year-old police lieutenant-general for alleged sex crimes, including the rape of an 18-year-old woman at a hotel in Sandton. The officer was suspended last year, and his name will be released once he appears in court.
Secondly, the website reports on the murder of 73-year-old Mariette Mouton from Bredasdorp. Her 81-year-old husband was outside mowing the lawn when she was attacked.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Firstly, also writes about the police lieutenant-general arrested in connection with alleged sex crimes.
And secondly, the paper reports AfriForum is proceeding with the criminal prosecution of ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula regarding statements that falsely identified a former Eastern Cape school principal, Jaco Pieterse, as a child rapist. The incident relates to the alleged rape of a seven-year-old at Bergview College in Matatiele in October 2024.
# Sowetan:
Also reports on Bozell’s call for president Cyril Ramaphosa to dispatch Mbeki to resolve the issues between South Africa and the US.
# And The Citizen:
Also reports on AfriForum’s case against Mbalula. The paper writes EFF leader Julius Malema is also being implicated in the matter.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports a Centurion-based liquidator who investigated the Mirror Trading International investment scheme—41-year-old Christopher Roos—was found dead alongside his mother and son in his Centurion office. All three died from gunshot wounds at the offices of Sebenza Trust, the entity appointed by the High Court as the liquidator for MTI.
Secondly, the paper reports most dam levels in the Western Cape have risen.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports 57-year-old Natasha van Eck, who is standing trial for the 2022 murder of her 60-year-old husband, Deon, at their farm Bakenkop near Kariega, testified in court that she acted in self-defence.
Secondly, the paper reports the sentencing of Karoo farmer Louis Lategan—convicted of human trafficking and rape—has been postponed. Lategan has appointed advocate Annelene van den Heever to represent him going forward.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Reports the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Education, Sipho Hlomuka, has condemned two violent attacks at schools in the province. These include a fatal robbery at Inanda Comprehensive High School and the shooting of three matric learners at Bukimvelo High School.
Secondly, the paper reports on an investigation being launched into the poisoning of wildlife.
And finally, from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports the ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare has 330 vacant social worker posts out of a possible 807, while the ministry is grappling with a reduction of 43.537-million-rand in its operating budget.
And secondly, the paper writes contractors working on Namibia’s railway upgrade—a project worth billions of rand—must allocate at least ten percent of their contract value to companies or suppliers registered in Namibia.