March 10, 2026 – South Africa Headlines

Story gist: President Cyril Ramaphosa extended the Madlanga Commission’s term until August. The witness list for the commission continues to grow.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Sowetan emphasizes live coverage of the commission’s continuation, highlighting ongoing proceedings. Center eNCA focuses on witness Julius Mkhwanazi’s return on March 23, stressing specific testimony dates. Right-leaning outlets offer no coverage, omitting the story and absenting a conservative perspective on the extension and witness developments.

Story gist: Suleiman Carrim testified at the Madlanga Commission about payments and ties to Hangwani Maumela. He stated he bought Maumela’s house and they became friends.

Bias summary: Left-leaning IOL frames Carrim’s testimony neutrally via his quote explaining personal ties through house purchase. Center-leaning Daily Maverick uses dramatic language like ‘tenders, tycoons, threats’ and ‘day of reckoning’ to emphasize confrontation and accountability. Right-leaning outlets absent, omitting potential focus on corruption allegations, defenses, or broader systemic critiques.

Story gist: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa praised eThekwini’s municipal turnaround ahead of local government elections. He noted that problems persist on the ground despite the progress.

Bias summary: Left-leaning IOL frames Ramaphosa’s comments as a call to genuinely fix municipal failures through elections rather than campaigning, emphasizing opportunity. Center News24 balances praise for the turnaround with acknowledgment of ongoing ground-level problems. Right-leaning The Citizen highlights Ramaphosa’s praise but stresses widespread skepticism, implying doubt in the claimed progress.

Story gist: Cape Town proposes R114 million safety wall on N2 highway. Cachalia casts doubt on the plan.

Bias summary: Left-leaning Al Jazeera frames the wall as ‘segregation’ causing uproar, emphasizing outrage and racial undertones. Center News24 calls it divisive while reporting Cachalia’s doubts neutrally. Right-leaning outlets absent, omitting potential emphasis on crime reduction benefits or criticism of fiscal concerns.

Story gist: South African Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi responded to a University of the Free State study on sanitary pads, stating menstrual products are safe to use. Experts said there is no clear evidence of harm.

Bias summary: Left-leaning IOL emphasizes experts’ conclusion of ‘no clear evidence of harm,’ prioritizing scientific reassurance. Center News24 highlights Motsoaledi’s direct response affirming safety to the UFS study. Right-leaning outlets offer no coverage, omitting conservative perspectives that might scrutinize the study findings or government reassurance.