November 8, 2025 – South Africa Headlines

Story gist: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called for stronger regional integration in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). South Africa is expected to assume the SADC chairmanship after the exit of Madagascar’s military government.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets omitted coverage, absenting progressive emphases on equity in African integration. Center outlets like News24 framed the story neutrally, focusing on factual transitions in SADC leadership and Ramaphosa’s call without speculation. Right-leaning outlets also lacked reports, missing potential conservative critiques on national sovereignty versus regional ties. Overall, coverage skewed toward centrist South African perspectives.

Story gist: A former Zimbabwean opposition MP was arrested in Pretoria, South Africa, after explosives were found in his car.

Bias summary: Centrist outlet News24 frames the story factually, emphasizing the arrest and discovery of explosives without political commentary. Left-leaning coverage is absent, potentially omitting sympathy for the opposition figure or critiques of Zimbabwe’s government. Right-leaning perspectives are also missing, which might highlight security risks or support for anti-opposition measures. Overall, the story lacks diverse framing due to limited reporting.

Story gist: ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula denied Police Minister Bheki Mchunu’s offer to step aside from party duties. Mchunu appointed a former ANC Youth League activist as spokesperson for the Madlanga Commission.

Bias summary: Left-leaning IOL emphasizes Mchunu’s appointment of an ex-ANC Youth League activist as Madlanga spokesperson, highlighting continuity in party activism without addressing internal tensions. Center outlet TimesLIVE focuses on Mchunu’s claim of Mbalula’s denial, portraying ANC leadership friction neutrally. Right-leaning outlets provide no coverage, leaving conservative perspectives on ANC infighting absent.

Story gist: At the Madlanga Commission, EMPD Chief Mapiyeye alleged that his deputy Julius Mkhwanazi refused vetting for his eThekwini Metro Police Department position. Mapiyeye exposed issues with a SWAT unit led by Mkhwanazi.

Bias summary: Left- and right-leaning outlets offered no coverage of the story, omitting progressive critiques of police leadership or conservative defenses of internal processes, leaving those perspectives absent. Center outlet eNCA framed the event factually as Mapiyeye’s allegation of Mkhwanazi’s vetting refusal, emphasizing procedural lapses without added tone, speculation, or emphasis on broader corruption implications.

Story gist: South African President Cyril Ramaphosa defended his policies during a parliamentary session. He refuted claims of political interference in the National Prosecuting Authority and supported the appointment of Nkosazana Kubayi amid opposition scrutiny.

Bias summary: Left-leaning IOL frames the story by emphasizing Ramaphosa’s refutation of NPA interference claims and endorsement of Kubayi’s appointment, portraying him as actively countering opposition attacks. Center outlet News24 uses a neutral title focusing on policy defense amid scrutiny, balancing government and opposition roles without specifics. Right-leaning coverage is absent, leaving conservative perspectives on potential executive overreach or policy flaws unrepresented.