November 7, 2025 – South Africa Headlines

Story gist: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that controversy over his country’s G20 role has quieted. This follows US President Donald Trump’s speech in Miami, where he criticized South Africa, confused it with South America, and suggested its removal from the G20 as South Africa prepares to host a summit.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like The Independent emphasize Trump’s factual error in confusing South America with South Africa, framing him as uninformed or erratic. Center outlets like the BBC focus neutrally on Trump’s policy stance against South Africa’s G20 membership amid its summit preparations, highlighting diplomatic tensions without judgment. Right-leaning coverage is absent, potentially omitting the story to avoid critiquing Trump or downplaying the incident.

Story gist: The Independent Directorate Against Corruption (Idac) implicated politicians and high-ranking South African Police Service (SAPS) officials in a R360 million tender awarded to Matlala. Idac stated it is not conducting a witch-hunt against a Crime Intelligence officer.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Daily Maverick emphasize Idac’s reassurance against a ‘witch-hunt,’ adopting a defensive tone to highlight investigative fairness. Center outlets like TimesLIVE provide neutral, factual reporting on the implications without added context. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting potential emphasis on political accountability or critiques of corruption probes.

Story gist: Angelo Agrizzi pleaded guilty to fraud and corruption charges in the R1.8 billion Bosasa case in South Africa. He received a suspended sentence, allowing him to remain free.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets provided no coverage, leaving perspectives on potential political implications or justice system critiques absent. Center outlet IOL framed the story with the headline ‘Guilty but free,’ emphasizing the leniency of the suspended sentence in a major corruption case, using neutral tone but highlighting the outcome’s perceived softness without deeper analysis of systemic issues.

Story gist: Firoz Cachalia stated that the 2009 disbandment of South Africa’s elite Scorpions crime-fighting unit was a mistake, linking it to the country’s ongoing problems. He also commented that a recent TV appearance by Mkhwanazi in a Special Task Force uniform evoked images of a coup.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets like Daily Maverick emphasize Cachalia’s critique of the Scorpions’ disbandment as a foundational error tied to national woes, highlighting institutional failures under past ANC governance. Center outlets like News24 focus on the sensational coup imagery in Cachalia’s remarks about Mkhwanazi’s appearance, stressing dramatic visuals without broader policy context. Right-leaning coverage is absent, omitting any perspective that might defend disbandment or counter ANC critiques.

Story gist: The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party suspended its Deputy President John Hlophe. The suspension occurred in South Africa, with no specific date provided in reports.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets provide no coverage, omitting any progressive or pro-MK framing that might contextualize internal party dynamics as factional disputes. Center outlets like eNCA report factually with neutral headlines, emphasizing the suspension event without added context or implications. Right-leaning outlets also lack coverage, absenting conservative perspectives that could highlight governance instability or anti-corruption angles in opposition politics.