December 14, 2025 – South Africa Headlines

Story gist: A temple collapsed in Verulam, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The death toll has climbed to three as search efforts continue.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets provided no coverage, leaving those perspectives absent. Center outlet News24 framed the story as a factual update, emphasizing the death toll rising to four and ongoing search, with neutral tone focused on developments without speculation, causes, or political angles.

Story gist: A woman was killed during a smash-and-grab robbery in Cape Town. Police released an initial suspect due to insufficient evidence linking him to the crime, while three men are scheduled to appear in court.

Bias summary: Left-leaning coverage absent, leaving that perspective unrepresented. Center outlets like News24 emphasize police failure in linking and freeing the initial suspect, highlighting investigative shortcomings. Right-leaning The Citizen focuses on victim and three men facing court, stressing accountability and progress in prosecution over police missteps.

Story gist: South African Communications Minister Solly Malatsi issued a directive to bypass a Black Economic Empowerment deadlock at regulator Icasa. The move clears Starlink for operations in South Africa.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like IOL emphasize the presidency’s sharp rebuke of Elon Musk’s ‘Apartheid-era’ claim as dangerous and false, framing the story defensively. Center outlets like Reuters neutrally highlight South Africa’s easing of ownership rules to enable Starlink and foreign operators. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting potential emphasis on reduced regulatory hurdles or criticism of BEE policies.

Story gist: EFF leader Malema announced the party will engage ideologically aligned SACP ahead of local government elections. Nehawu backed SACP’s independent 2026 campaign amid ANC tensions.

Bias summary: Left-leaning IOL emphasizes Nehawu’s support for SACP’s independent 2026 campaign and ANC tensions, highlighting intra-left dynamics. Center News24 neutrally reports Malema’s EFF-SACP engagement plans. Right-leaning coverage absent, missing potential critiques of radical leftist alliances or focus on election disruptions.

Story gist: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa warned the Democratic Alliance and other parties in the government. An ANC gathering stated it wants more Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), not less, as BEE deal flow slows.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets absent, omitting progressive support for BEE expansion or conservative criticism of ANC dominance in coalition. Center outlet News24 neutrally frames via ANC gathering quote emphasizing policy continuity amid slowing BEE deals, downplaying Ramaphosa’s warning tone and focusing on economic policy over political tensions.