News 15:00

BULLETIN 12 May 3 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The storm death toll rises to six as the Western Cape floods affect nearly six-thousand people
# The Boland town of Worcester is completely cut off from the outside world
# And cricket: Ismail is included in the Proteas Women’s World Cup squad after reversing her retirement

# The confirmed storm-related death toll in the Western Cape has now risen to six, while nearly six-thousand people have been left vulnerable as severe weather continues to batter the province with widespread flooding, evacuations, and infrastructure damage. Authorities report nearly two-thousand homes have been flooded or destroyed in informal settlements such as Philippi and Khayelitsha in Cape Town. Disaster management teams are still assessing the full extent of the damage as emergency response operations continue across the province.

Meanwhile, the North Boland town of Worcester is completely cut off from the outside world because of severe flooding. The N1 is closed in both directions, as well as the R43 to Wolseley, the R46 to Villiersdorp and the R60 direction Robertson. The bridge over the Breede River near Nekkies is also under water. Western Cape government spokesperson Kristoff Adelbert earlier advised motorists to only drive as a last resort while emergency teams monitor and respond to the worsening weather situation.

# Union federation SAFTU has rejected president Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to revive a judicial review of the Section 89 panel’s report. The panel found prima facie evidence he may have violated the Constitution and his oath of office through his actions in an alleged money cover-up at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo in 2020. SAFTU’s general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, says the correct political route should have been for Ramaphosa to resign:

# ANEW Hotels and Resorts says South Africa’s tourism recovery is about more than just visitor numbers. The company states the sector has rebounded to over 95-percent of pre-pandemic levels, but the focus should now be on wider economic benefits. It made the remarks as the Africa Travel Indaba is underway in Durban. Spokesperson Alan Campbell says South Africa should grow tourism beyond major destinations so more provinces and communities benefit:

# Cricket: Fast bowler Shabnim Ismail reversed her retirement from the international game and was immediately included in the Proteas Women’s 15-player squad for the T20 World Cup in England and Wales, announced today. Thirty-seven-year-old Ismail retired in February 2023 after 113 T20 matches for South Africa during which she took 123 wickets. The squad will again be captained by Laura Wolvaardt, and includes experienced players such as Marizanne Kapp, Dané van Niekerk, Chloé Tryon and Nonkululeko Mlaba. Kayla Reyneke will experience her first World Cup.

# And the financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-52-cents and the euro at 19-rand-40-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-36-cents and Bitcoin trades at 80-thousand-506-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-695-dollars-60-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 105-dollars-21-cents a barrel.

Stay tuned for more news………….