Top news items in major S. African media outlets

The following are news items in South African major news outlets on Thursday.

-- A ruling that the government failed to comply with the constitution when it initiated a process to build new atomic power plants has dealt a major blow to President Jacob Zuma's nuclear ambitions.

The Western Cape High Court on Wednesday ordered the government to hold public hearings and a parliamentary debate on the nuclear program, which may cost as much as R1 trillion ( 76 bln U.S. dollars). (Fin24)

-- A National Health Education & Allied Workers Union (NHEAWU) letter to the Congress of South African Trade Unions has reportedly been leaked and in it the union calls on the labor federation not to invite President Jacob Zuma to address the National Workers' Day rally in the Free State on Monday. (South African Broadcasting Corporation)

-- The Freedom Movement and several political parties will hold a mass rally against President Jacob Zuma in Pretoria on Thursday.

Freedom Day commemorates the country's first post-apartheid elections held in 1994. This year signals 23 years of South Africa's democracy. (News24) Endit