Top news items in major S. African media outlets

CAPE TOWN, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The following are news items in South African major news outlets on Wednesday:

-- Economic crime is a scourge in South Africa, PwC's latest survey on global economic crime has shown.

South African organizations continue to report the highest instances of economic crime in the world with economic crime reaching its highest level over the past decade, according to the firm's biennial Global Economic Crime Survey released on Tuesday. (Fin24)

-- S&P Global Ratings downgraded the credit rating for South Africa's state-run power utility Eskom to CCC+ from B- on Wednesday, citing liquidity concerns and insufficient government support that could trigger a default.

"Eskom remains at risk of facing a distressed exchange situation or default in the next six months despite securing 30 billion rand (about 2.56 billion U.S. dollars) in short-term funding from local and international funders so far this year," the agency said in a statement. (Eyewitness News)

-- Newly appointed Police Minister Bheki Cele on Tuesday sent a stern warning to criminals. This comes after the tragic deaths of five police officers in the line of duty in Ngcobo, Eastern Cape Province.

He was speaking as hundreds of mourners converged at the Ngcobo methodist church for the memorial service of the five slain police officers and a retired soldier.(South African Broadcasting Corporation) Enditem