Top news items in major S. African media outlets

CAPE TOWN, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- The following are news items in South African major news outlets on Tuesday.

-- South Africa needs an urgent explanation on how free education for the poor and academically deserving, announced last month by President Jacob Zuma, will be implemented and paid for, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) said on Monday.

"It is critical for our institutions, students and our country that the implementation and budget plan be confirmed very soon. Who's paying for this, how is it going to be done and where is the money coming from?" asked the NTEU. (News24)

-- Several universities complained on Monday that President Jacob Zuma's announcement on free higher education is putting strain on their resources.

Security in and around the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and Wits has been beefed up as prospective students arrive to make applications and enquiries. Both universities have reiterated their stance that they will not allow walk-ins, despite the Economic Freedom Fighter's (EFF) Student Command threatening forced walk-in registrations. (South African Broadcasting Corporation)

-- The National Health Department said on Monday that while it has found traces of listeriosis in an abattoir in Pretoria, it cannot conclude that the slaughter house is the source of the current outbreak.

The department traced the abattoir after a listeriosis patient was found with some of its meat. (Eyewitness News) Enditem