Top news items in major S. African media outlets

The following are highlights of South African major media outlets on Friday.

-- The Central Energy Fund (CEF), the holding company of the Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF), on Thursday came out in support of the decision to sell SA's entire strategic fuel stock, claiming that fuel security had not been compromised as the government could access the fuel from the new buyer.

A glaring omission from its statement is that SA will have to buy the fuel back if needed. If the stocks that were sold in December had to be replaced at current oil prices, the SFF would make a loss of 220 million U.S. dollars. (Business Day)

-- Canada will be receiving the aid of 301 South African firefighters to assist the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) in the countries wildland fire suppression efforts at the province of Alberta.

"CIFFC have sent a formal request for assistance to their international partners including Working on Fire," Working on Fire said in a statement.(News24)

-- No matter how deep-seated the problem is in Hammanskraal north of Pretoria, there is no grievance that can give rise to the loss of lives, minister in the presidency Jeff Radebe said.

"That is why we are unrelenting in our view that law enforcement must take its course. Those who killed the two contractors must be brought to book. It also comes back to the earlier response I made. Members of communities should not be party to the breaking of the law," he said. (City Press). Endit