Morning Newspaper Report

The headlines of the leading newspapers on 12 March 2026:

NATIONAL:

# Business Day:

Reports US Ambassador to South Africa Leo Brent Bozell has been summoned to explain his remarks. The paper writes Pretoria has issued a formal reprimand over Bozell’s undiplomatic remarks on black economic empowerment and land expropriation

# And the Netwerk24 website:

Reports the suspended national head of the police’s organised crime unit, major general Richard Shiburi, insisted before the Madlanga Commission that controversial businessman Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala did not infiltrate the police through a syndicate.

And secondly, the website writes many South Africans in the US are exploring the possibility of returning to South Africa because the US has become too dangerous. About 12-thousand have enquired about their South African citizenship status and some have already returned.

GAUTENG:

# The Star:

Reports the Soshanguve Magistrate’s Court has granted bail of two-thousand-rand each to nine people accused of participating in the alleged community-murder of a lecturer at the Tshwane University of Technology, Madasi Sifundo. The community has accused Sifundo of raping two children.

And secondly, there is a report on the memorial service for the late Cope leader, Mosiuoa ‘Terror’ Lekota, in Soweto.

# Sowetan:

Reports Safa’s decision to cut the earnings of national soccer teams ahead of the World Cup is expected to provoke protests. The association is reportedly bankrupt and cannot afford high compensation packages.

# And The Citizen:

Reports the ANC in Mpumalanga has come under fire for its election campaign in which they are handing out bread for votes.

WESTERN CAPE:

# Die Burger:

Reports like Business Day about the US ambassador to South Africa, Leo Brent Bozell. The paper writes the ANC and EFF have taken a stand against his statements and say that no one can propose a policy for South Africa. The EFF wants him to be kicked out.

And secondly, the paper writes about Pniel’s spotted cats, which were all along AI cats.

EASTERN CAPE:

# The Herald in Gqeberha:

Reports the Eastern Cape is the province where the most murders are committed for life insurance money.

And secondly, the paper writes a Western Cape teacher was suspended after she mocked a learner who could not afford food at a fundraiser.

KWAZULU-NATAL:

# The Witness in Pietermaritzburg:

Writes the so-called Grindr Gang, who allegedly lured people to empty houses through social media and robbed them, have been granted bail.

And secondly, the paper also reports on the conditions set by the American ambassador to South Africa.

And finally from NAMIBIA:

# Republikein in Windhoek:

Reports plans to convert one of Swakopmund’s historic buildings, the Old Post Office, into a luxury hotel have sparked a dispute between heritage authorities, developers and local role players.

And secondly, the paper writes the Gobabeb Research Centre has paid a moving tribute to the two British victims of last week’s tragic plane crash.