Top news items of South African major news outlets

The following are highlights of South Africa's major media outlets on Wednesday.

-- South African universities dropped in a global ranking published by the Centre for World University Rankings on Tuesday, with the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) emerging as SA's best tertiary institution at 176 out of 1,000.

The ranking, by a Saudi-based consultancy, is one of several global rankings conducted annually, which, although viewed with some scepticism by academics, have gained currency with the public.(Business Day)

-- More than 6,000 rhino have been killed in Africa over the last decade and about 25,000 remain on the continent, according to a new report.

The Kruger National Park (KNP) is "the eye of the storm, accounting for roughly 60 percent of poaching incidents over the past seven years", the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime said in its report.(News24)

-- A heavy police contingency is expected at voting stations during the Local Government Elections on August 3.

Police say people who intend to disrupt the elections will be dealt with accordingly.(South African Broadcasting Corporation) Endit