The headlines of the leading newspapers on 15 May 2026:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports president Cyril Ramaphosa has fired Social Development minister Sisisi Tolashe. She faces allegations of corruption, misconduct and misuse of public funds.
# Mail & Guardian:
Leads with: “FIRED” in big red letters on its front page. The paper writes Ramaphosa has finally taken action against his absentee Social Development minister, but his own political survival is bleak with an impending impeachment.
# Die Papier:
Reports one of the biggest reasons why Ramaphosa will not resign as president is the concern within the party’s inner circles about a suitable successor.
Then the paper also writes about Tolashe.
And finally, there is a report on the activities of the Madlanga Commission. Eighteen senior police and law enforcement officials have already been arrested since the commission began its work.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Writes Ramaphosa has now had his Nkandla moment in Parliament when the EFF and MK Party walked out yesterday, and according to them, refused to listen to a president who does not respect the Constitution.
And secondly, there is news about a former rector of the University of the Free State, professor Francois Retief, who has died at the age of 93.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Writes Nandipha Magudumana, who allegedly helped her friend, the rapist Thabo Bester, escape, was, according to her legal team, brought back from Tanzania by a disguised extradition. They argued in the Constitutional Court that the operation was flawed from start to finish.
# Sowetan:
Today leads with news about the giant soccer battle this weekend. It is Orlando Pirates’ match against Durban City that could give them the chance to win the Champions League for the first time in 14 years.
# And The Citizen:
Writes South Africans are paying hopelessly too much for groceries. The high costs cannot be attributed solely to food inflation; products are much more expensive than the norm. The average local food basket costs just three-rand more than in Britain.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Also leads with Tolashe. The paper reports the minister’s dismissal was widely welcomed.
And secondly, the paper writes the Robertson Wine Valley suffered serious damage when the Breë River overflowed its banks. Residents on wine farms were evacuated, and severe damage was caused.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports the new site intended for the SPCA in Kariega was washed away during the recent floods and is probably not suitable for development.
And secondly, it is reported attempts by Gift of the Givers to help hundreds of needy residents after the recent floods were marred by looting.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Writes the sensational arms deal trial continues.
And reports key players are planning to leave the Sharks.
And finally from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports state patients are being sent from port to starboard to get their medication due to pressure on supply levels.
And secondly, the paper writes the judiciary has admitted that witness fees have been unchanged since 2014, despite rising fuel prices and the cost of living.