The headlines of the leading newspapers on 12 May 2026:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports on the story of the day, namely that president Cyril Ramaphosa has said he will not resign over the Phala Phala report. The president will question the independent panel report, which suggests that he must answer for allegations against him.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Firstly also reports on Ramaphosa’s decision, but then the paper also gives a full explanation of how Parliament will deal with the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the Phala Phala matter.
Then the website writes the accused in the murder of insolvency practitioner Bouwer van Niekerk, Mukelani Ntombela, finally has a legal team after his previous legal representatives withdrew.
And finally there is news about several flights from Cape Town that were cancelled or delayed due to the storms.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Also writes that Ramaphosa said he is not going anywhere.
And secondly, the suspended minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, has already received 2.2-million-rand to stay home.
# Sowetan:
Leads with “WOUNDED ‘BUFFALO’ FIGHTS ON”. The paper reports the president will fight the Section 89 report against him in court.
# And The Citizen:
Writes Ramaphosa says he will not give in to those who only want to divert attention from anti-corruption actions such as the Madlanga Commission.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Leads with the deadly storms that hit the Cape and reports on numerous incidents during which the infrastructure was damaged or destroyed. Furthermore, the paper writes that Western Cape schools are still closed today, with more inclement weather forecast for the province.
And secondly, the paper also has news about Ramaphosa’s speech.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports like many dailies that “a defiant” Ramaphosa said he would not resign.
And secondly, the paper writes about the devastating impact of the inclement weather in the Eastern Cape.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Also leads with Ramaphosa.
And secondly, the paper writes the house of controversial activist Ngizwe Mchunu in Mbumbulu near Durban was allegedly deliberately set on fire.
And finally, from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports the standard rates of the Namibian Medical Funds Association are still the reference point for processing claims and administering Namibia Health Plan benefits.
And secondly, the paper writes the pilot of a light aircraft that crashed in the southwest of the country and claimed the lives of four people was reportedly extremely experienced.