Top news items of S. African major news outlets

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

-- President Jacob Zuma says he does not understand black people who choose to vote for the Democratic Alliance. Zuma made the statement at the ANC's countdown to the August 3 local elections on Wednesday night.(Business Day)

-- A lack of government support, political posturing for local government elections, service protests, seasonal factors and the slow pace of orders are restraining trade in South Africa at the moment.

That is reflected by respondents in the latest monthly Trade Activity Index (TAI) by the SA Chamber of Commerce & Industry.(Fin24)

--Labour federation Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) on Wednesday broke ranks with the African National Congress (ANC) on the protests in Zimbabwe, by expressing its support for the protesters.

"COSATU urges the people of Zimbabwe to continue with the struggle and not to watch idly while the government tramples upon the rights of workers and ordinary citizens," COSATU international relations secretary Bongani Masuku said.(News24) Endit