News 18:00

BULLETIN 13 May 6 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Concerns mount as the death toll climbs in the George building collapse
# Police members are injured in a Nyala accident on the N1 in Cape Town
# And tennis: A former world number one is ousted in the round of 16 in Rome 

# The death toll has risen to 27 as the rescue operation at the site of the building collapse in George in the Western Cape continues. The incident, which occurred at 75 Victoria Street, has seen 56 peoples rescued and 13 hospitalised, but 25 people remain unaccounted for, adding to the urgency of the search and rescue efforts. Forensics Pathology Services assistant director Floyd Herwels says authorities are working diligently to verify the identities of the victims:

# Nine members of the public-order policing unit in Faure, Cape Town, were injured when their armoured vehicle overturned near Okavango bridge this morning. Provincial police spokesperson FC van Wyk cites sudden braking as the cause, leading to the scattering of ammunition. The injured received on-site treatment, while two severe cases were airlifted. No other vehicles were involved. A case of reckless driving has been opened at Kraaifontein Police Station.

# The City of Cape Town says Eskom has abruptly ended talks on transferring its supply areas, despite advanced preparations. Despite previous progress and preparations, Eskom’s executive has opted against the transfer, citing operational needs. Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has vowed to continue pursuing the transfer for more reliable and affordable electricity services. He says discussions with Eskom will persist as the city pushes for further assessments:

# Labour observers and economists are not expecting much of a shift in the unemployment rate. Statistics South Africa is set to release the unemployment figures in its Quarterly Labour Force Survey this week. The last data released for the fourth quarter of 2023 saw official unemployment tick up to 32.1 percent. Economist Dawie Roodt urged flexibility in dealing with the job crisis pending the outcome of the elections:

# Tennis: Former world number one, Naomi Osaka of Japan has been eliminated in the round of 16 at the Italian Open. The four-time Grand Slam champion, whose ranking has plummeted to 173 following her break from the game to have her first child, lost in straight sets to seventh-seeded Zheng Qinwen of China. Osaka was playing in Rome for the first time in three years. Zheng will face either third-seeded Coco Gauff of America or unseeded Paula Badosa of Spain in the quarterfinals.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 18-rand-31-cents and the euro at 19-rand-78-cents. One British pound costs 23-rand-1-cent and Bitcoin trades at 62-thousand-963-dollars-57-cents. Gold sells at two-thousand-343-dollars-17-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 83-dollars-63-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….