Top news items in major S. African media outlets

The following are news highlights in South Africa's major media outlets on Saturday.

-- The Presidency on Friday distanced itself from a statement made by Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane that the Cabinet had resolved to request a judicial inquiry established into the banks and their actions against the Guptas, as well as to review the legislation that governs the banking system.

Zwane headed an interministerial committee established by the Cabinet after the big four banks withdrew banking services to the Gupta family. He drew up a Cabinet memo on the banks, which he said in his statement on Thursday had been adopted by the Cabinet. (Business Day)

-- An International Security Studies (ISS) analyst said Police Minister Nathi Nhleko's presentation on the 2015/16 crime statistics shows a worrying trend -- that violent crimes such as murder have increased over the last four years. (News24)

-- Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has expressed his confidence in the new board of South African Airways (SAA).

The national airline has been rocked by management and financial crises, ranging from pleas for bailouts to the recent fears that its planes could be grounded. (South African Broadcasting Corporation) Enditem