November 27, 2025 – South Africa Headlines

Story gist: Vusimuzi ‘Cat’ Matlala testified before the South African Police Service, alleging he paid R500,000 to former Police Minister Bheki Cele in connection with a tender.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets provided no coverage, omitting any framing of police corruption allegations. Right-leaning outlets also absent, leaving no emphasis on accountability for officials or criminal elements. Center outlet Daily Maverick highlights Matlala’s claim that ‘Cele lied,’ foregrounding the payoff allegation and testimony details from a figure with a criminal past, without broader context on Cele’s denial.

Story gist: Wales made eight changes to their starting XV for the match against the Springboks, including one debutant.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets omit the story entirely, indicating lack of political relevance. Center outlet Rugbypass.com frames it neutrally and factually in the headline, emphasizing team changes and debutant without added tone, analysis, or speculation. No partisan differences emerge due to absent left/right coverage, defaulting to straightforward sports reporting.

Story gist: Minister Steenhuisen announced a policy shift to address an outbreak in South Africa. The announcement occurred at the AFASA conference.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets provided no coverage, omitting their perspectives entirely. Center outlet African Farming framed it as ‘BREAKING NEWS’ highlighting a ‘major FMD policy shift,’ using urgent tone and emphasis on significance at the AFASA conference without partisan interpretation.

Story gist: South Africa’s Hawks arrested a Gauteng High Court judge and a church leader on corruption charges involving an alleged bribe in a church succession battle. Judges Matter called for the judge to step down and be suspended immediately.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets provided no coverage, omitting any framing from those perspectives and leaving potential emphases on systemic issues or defenses absent. Center coverage via Judges Matter statement focuses on accountability, demanding the judge’s immediate suspension and step-down, highlighting institutional integrity without detailing the succession battle or broader implications.

Story gist: South Africa handed over the G20 presidency to a junior US diplomat.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets omitted coverage of the G20 presidency handover, leaving those perspectives absent. Center outlet EWN framed the story neutrally in its headline ‘SA hands over G20 Presidency to junior US diplomat,’ emphasizing the participants and South Africa’s role without added tone or omissions noted.