December 9, 2025 – South Africa Headlines

Story gist: Police identified persons of interest in the murder of Marius van der Merwe, a witness in the Madlanga case. An expert stated that refusing witness protection did not absolve the state of its duty to protect Witness D.

Bias summary: Left-leaning IOL emphasizes state failure to protect the witness, quoting an expert on government duty and framing it as negligence. Center News24 reports neutrally on police identifying persons of interest without blame. Right-leaning outlets absent, omitting potential focus on law enforcement progress or criticism of judicial vulnerabilities.

Story gist: A mass shooting in Saulsville, South Africa, killed 12 people, including a young child. Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola stated police know the motive, with one suspect identified as an attempted murder parolee.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Al Jazeera emphasize victim tragedy, spotlighting 12 deaths including a child and South African context. Center outlets like News24 highlight suspect details, focusing on an attempted murder parolee among perpetrators. Right-leaning outlets offer no coverage, absenting potential emphasis on crime waves, parole leniency, or demands for stricter law enforcement.

Story gist: NPA head Shamila Batohi admitted at the Nkabinde Inquiry that she did not read the Booysen docket before withdrawing charges. Judge Ngcukaitobi questioned her on disciplinary action against South Gauteng prosecuting head Andrew Chauke, to which Batohi conceded lacking documentary proof.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Mail & Guardian frames with confrontational tone, emphasizing Ngcukaitobi ‘grilling’ Batohi on disciplining prosecutor Chauke. Center News24 uses neutral phrasing, focusing on Batohi ‘conceding’ no proof while Ngcukaitobi ‘corners’ her at the inquiry. No right-leaning outlets cover the story, absenting potential emphasis on NPA context or defenses of Batohi’s decisions.

Story gist: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa warned at the ANC’s National General Council that the party has no room for criminals and extortionists. He stated government outsourcing wastes public funds and encourages corruption, bribery, and overpricing.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Mail & Guardian emphasize Ramaphosa’s critique of outsourcing as corrupt and wasteful. Center outlets like Daily Maverick focus on his leadership future and ANC NGC details, with speculative tone. Right-leaning outlets offer no coverage, omitting conservative perspectives on ANC internal reforms or Ramaphosa’s warnings.

Story gist: South Africa’s Border Management Authority seized drugs, stolen cars, and counterfeit goods worth millions at borders during a festive crackdown. Over the past three years, it prevented 505,065 illegal entries.

Bias summary: Left-leaning IOL emphasizes preventing 505,065 illegal entries over three years, framing BMA success on immigration control. Center News24 highlights seizures of drugs, stolen cars, and counterfeits during festive operations, focusing on contraband interdiction. Right-leaning outlets provide no coverage, omitting that perspective entirely.