News 13:00

BULLETIN 18 May 1 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# Three people are dead after an embankment collapsed at a construction site in Ballito, KZN
# A fishing trawler has sunk off the Cape Town coast, 9 survivors have been found, 11 fishermen are missing
# And, soccer: The Fifa president calls for unity amid global conflicts

# An embankment at a construction site has collapsed in Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, reportedly killing three workers and leaving two more trapped at this stage. Reports indicate five contractors were present during the incident. Rescue operations are currently underway to free the trapped individuals. Emergency services are on the scene. The cause of the collapse is yet to be determined, and investigations will follow.

# A fishing trawler has sunk deep-sea off Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard, prompting a search and rescue operation. National Sea Rescue Institute spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, says nine of the 20 local fishermen were rescued from a life raft. They are unharmed and under their fishing company’s care. He says extensive air and sea search efforts continue:

# Today marks day two of voting for South African expats in 102 countries. Voting stations, open from seven in the morning to seven in the evening, are facilitating the process this weekend. Overseas voting began yesterday with South Africans in nine countries casting their votes. IEC deputy chief electoral officer Masego Sheburi reports smooth voting so far. London, South Africa’s largest voting station abroad, has a special two-day voting concession. However, deputy high commissioner to the UK, Dineo Mathlako, notes 100 voters casted their votes yesterday following dates confusion.

# South Sudan’s government and rebel opposition groups signed a commitment declaration for peace during high-level mediation talks in Kenya. The agreement seeks to end the conflict that has crippled South Sudan’s economy. Although the agreement’s details were not disclosed, it signifies a milestone in the ongoing Tumaini Initiative talks. Mediator and retired Kenyan special envoy to the Sudanese peace process, Lazaro Sumbeiywo, calls on the leaders to maintain peace:

# And, soccer: Fifa president Gianni Infantino has urged the sport to be a unifying force as conflicts rage worldwide. At the opening of the controlling body’s congress in Bangkok, Thailand, Infantino emphasised soccer’s role in uniting people and highlighted the responsibility to promote unity. This plea comes as Fifa seeks legal advice on a Palestinian proposal to suspend Israel from international soccer. He states the sport wants to unite, not to divide:

Stay tuned for more news………….