The headlines of the leading newspapers on 12 October 2026:
NATIONAL:
# Business Day:
Reports the minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, says the government requires more time to put systems in place to implement the Constitutional Court’s ruling regarding illegal immigrants. Meanwhile, the paper reports 30 individuals implicated in violence have already been arrested.
# And the Netwerk24 website:
Reports the MK Party is furious over reports that the Defence Force has been deployed to KwaZulu-Natal to maintain order in the event of former president Jacob Zuma’s death. The party insists that people should stop speculating about Zuma’s health.
Secondly, the website writes the well-known publisher and biographer Petrovna Metelerkamp was seriously injured in a car accident while en route to the Woordfees festival in Stellenbosch.
GAUTENG:
# The Star:
Writes the minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, has asked the public to respect Zuma’s privacy and to stop trying to uncover details about his health status. She states that only his medical team may, with his consent, provide information regarding his condition.
Secondly, it is reported that the police in the Eastern Cape have appealed to the public for assistance in locating 14-year-old Allegra Styles. She was reported missing after allegedly leaving a party following an argument with her boyfriend. The Walmer police and the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit are investigating her disappearance.
# Sowetan:
Reports on the 36-year-old pastor arrested in Diepsloot in connection with the rape and murder of a four-month-old baby. The pastor had allegedly agreed to assist with a cleansing ceremony and took the child from her mother’s care.
# And The Citizen:
Reports despite an arrest warrant issued five years ago for a former municipal speaker from Mpumalanga, Khaya Segone, remains a free man. Segone has been accused of leading a vigilante group.
WESTERN CAPE:
# Die Burger:
Reports on the death of 14-year-old Fredrico Konstabel, a Grade 9 learner at Hex Valley Secondary School in De Doorns, during the school’s matric farewell. Fredrico was allegedly run over by a truck during the event.
Secondly, the paper reports an elderly woman from Mangaung in the Free State was knocked over while trying to stop her son from lashing out at president Cyril Ramaphosa, who was campaigning in the area. The son, known as Rasta, was questioned by police inside the house and not permitted to come back out.
EASTERN CAPE:
# The Herald in Gqeberha:
Reports a Gauteng High Court has declared the removal of controversial ANC member Andile Lungisa from the party’s candidate list for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality unconstitutional and ordered the ANC to reinstate him. The ANC says it intends to appeal the court ruling.
KWAZULU-NATAL:
# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:
Reports Durban has honoured one of its own—legal expert, human rights advocate, and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay—following her Nobel Peace Prize win.
Secondly, it is reported the ongoing refuse removal crisis in Pietermaritzburg’s northern suburbs persists due to a strike led by the South African Municipal Workers’ Union.
And finally, from NAMIBIA:
# Republikein in Windhoek:
Reports a preliminary investigation into grievances at the Windhoek Central Hospital’s cardiac unit had recommended disciplinary action against paediatric cardiologist doctor Fenny Shidhika months before she resigned. She was accused of bullying and verbal abuse.
Secondly, the paper writes Namibian prime minister Elijah Ngurare met with ten representative health assistants who were dismissed following the withdrawal of funding by the US Agency for International Development and the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. They reportedly received only 200-rand for taxi fare.