Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 14 August 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports the Madlanga Commission heard evidence that the KwaZulu-Natal police’s version of the death of taxi boss Bevan Loftus is highly unlikely and that it was rather a contract killing under the cover of a police operation. The commander of the unit, captain Deena Govender, is yet to appear before the commission.

# Mail & Guardian:

Writes the families of victims and survivors are still waiting for justice, 14 years after the Marikana massacre. The police shot and killed 34 striking miners after days of tension at the mine.

# Die Papier:

Reports on former minister Naledi Pandor’s criticism of the construction of the exclusive Afrikaans university, Akademia, in Pretoria. The chairman of the Dagbreek Trust, Theuns Eloff, says Pandor is speaking from an ideological angle and forgetting the Constitution for convenience.

Secondly, the paper interviewed former CEO of South Africa Day, Barend la Grange. He says the lie about the alleged white genocide has damaged the reputation of Afrikaners as well as race relations in the country.

And finally, it is reported that a dispute between the leading figures in the FF Plus in Tshwane has led to intervention by the party’s national leadership. The leader of the party’s local caucus, Grandi Theunissen, has lost his position. The disagreement is apparently about a land transaction in Groenkloof.

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports the suspended deputy chief of Ekurhuleni Metro Police, Julius Mkhwanazi, claims in his bail application that he is only being prosecuted to prevent him from becoming head of the metro police.

And secondly, the website writes that the MK Party wants the chairman of the parliamentary portfolio committee on Police, Ian Cameron, to appear before the Madlanga Commission to testify about his role in an alleged plot against the police commissioner.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Writes the Mpumalanga Department of Health is being held fully liable for the damages suffered by a child who suffered a brain injury during birth at Piet Retief Hospital in 2009. The High Court in Mbombela has found that there was inadequate foetal monitoring during the birth. The claim amounts to approximately 16-million-rand.

# Sowetan:

Reports on how the police went about proving the murder of Mahlako Malebo Rabalao. A lawyer, Thubelihle Sbonakaliso Mpisi, was found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.

# And The Citizen:

Writes numerous new forms of credit and debit card fraud have emerged and consumers are being warned to be extremely careful. A pensioner in KwaZulu-Natal lost 421-thousand-rand in just two days.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports MPs have criticised the minister of Higher Education, Buti Manamela, over the estimated 15-billion-rand shortfall in the National Student Financial Aid Scheme at universities and colleges. There is also unhappiness about the advisers to the fund who were appointed by the head, professor Hlengani Mathebula, at a cost of about 200-million-rand.

And secondly, the paper writes about the Mitchell’s Plain family who allegedly rented out an 11-year-old girl for a hundred-rand. Two suspects have appeared in court.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports there is concern about the outbreak of the parvo virus among animals in Seaview. Residents have been urged to be on their guard.

And secondly, the paper writes about the safety of female students living in apartments off campus.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes there are many new rumours about Russian mercenaries being recruited in South Africa.

And reports on the new smart electricity meters being installed in Pietermaritzburg.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports the Olympia Eye Institute Private Hospital will appeal against the Namibian Medical Funds Association’s decision not to allocate a private hospital practice number to it.

And secondly, the paper writes Namibian businesses are slow to grant new loans as the economy is not active enough to generate returns.