GAY PRINSONER DILEMMA SEES SHOPLIFER RELEASED

Oh wow! Well I guess it had to happen sooner or later, and this is what happens when laws are passed and legislation changed without everyone sitting at the table and without thinking the whole thing through!

The problem I have here now, is that because the Police did not know what to do with him/her, the suspect - who at the end of the day is still a thief - was released. This is now setting a new precident! Why, well because anyone who now get's caught doing something that is illegal can demand to be put into the female cell (if they are male) and into a male cell (if they are female) because that is where they feel more 'comfortable'. Then after much ado, they will be released because the Police 'don't know what to do with them'.

This is not a good idea folks, and the problem needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency!

Gay prisoner dilemma sees shoplifter released

Boyd Webb

March 30 2007 at 11:35AM

South Africa's commitment to gay rights had placed some law enforcers in a quandary, especially when homosexual suspects demanded they be locked up with the gender they felt most comfortable with, MPs heard this week. Committee chairperson Maggie Sotyu said the recent implementation of the Civil Union Act, which makes same-sex marriages legal in South Africa, was causing a degree of consternation among police.

Sotyu said some gay male criminal suspects were demanding to be locked up with women, whom they claimed to have more of an affinity with. Police in the Free State were recently forced to release a shoplifting suspect after he refused to be locked up with other male prisoners, she told MPs.

He, or she, as he referred to him/herself, demanded to be detained with the female prisoners, claiming the men would rape him. However, the female detainees also refused to share a cell with him worrying that they may be raped by him." She said the suspect was eventually released because the police did not know what to do with him. The committee would have to seriously debate this problem.

ANC MP Benjamin Ntuli agreed, stating that legislators would have to address this issue with a degree of urgency before the government was inundated with law suits. Battling to make himself heard above the laughter, Ntuli said it was a serious matter that if not dealt with, could result in litigation. "The Civil Union Act is causing a dilemma.

Do we lock up suspects according to their gender and in so doing open ourselves up for law suits?" he asked. Sotyu said it was something that had to be dealt with before the 2010 Soccer World Cup. But Dawie Nel, director for the gay and lesbian advocacy group OUT, said he did not see the link between the Civil Union Act and the dilemma faced by the police as the legislation only regulated marriage between gay couples. "There is a difference between sexual orientation and gender identity and it does not necessarily follow that because you feel more effeminate that you are gay," he said.

However, he did say that effeminate men were far more likely to be raped in prison, a statement supported by the Jali Commission that investigated corruption and violence in prisons.

This article was originally published on page 6 of Daily News on March 30, 2007

GAY PRINSONER DILEMMA SEES SHOPLIFER RELEASED

Oh wow! Well I guess it had to happen sooner or later, and this is what happens when laws are passed and legislation changed without everyone sitting at the table and without thinking the whole thing through!

The problem I have here now, is that because the Police did not know what to do with him/her, the suspect - who at the end of the day is still a thief - was released. This is now setting a new precident! Why, well because anyone who now get's caught doing something that is illegal can demand to be put into the female cell (if they are male) and into a male cell (if they are female) because that is where they feel more 'comfortable'. Then after much ado, they will be released because the Police 'don't know what to do with them'.

This is not a good idea folks, and the problem needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency!

Gay prisoner dilemma sees shoplifter released

Boyd Webb

March 30 2007 at 11:35AM

South Africa's commitment to gay rights had placed some law enforcers in a quandary, especially when homosexual suspects demanded they be locked up with the gender they felt most comfortable with, MPs heard this week. Committee chairperson Maggie Sotyu said the recent implementation of the Civil Union Act, which makes same-sex marriages legal in South Africa, was causing a degree of consternation among police.

Sotyu said some gay male criminal suspects were demanding to be locked up with women, whom they claimed to have more of an affinity with. Police in the Free State were recently forced to release a shoplifting suspect after he refused to be locked up with other male prisoners, she told MPs.

He, or she, as he referred to him/herself, demanded to be detained with the female prisoners, claiming the men would rape him. However, the female detainees also refused to share a cell with him worrying that they may be raped by him." She said the suspect was eventually released because the police did not know what to do with him. The committee would have to seriously debate this problem.

ANC MP Benjamin Ntuli agreed, stating that legislators would have to address this issue with a degree of urgency before the government was inundated with law suits. Battling to make himself heard above the laughter, Ntuli said it was a serious matter that if not dealt with, could result in litigation. "The Civil Union Act is causing a dilemma.

Do we lock up suspects according to their gender and in so doing open ourselves up for law suits?" he asked. Sotyu said it was something that had to be dealt with before the 2010 Soccer World Cup. But Dawie Nel, director for the gay and lesbian advocacy group OUT, said he did not see the link between the Civil Union Act and the dilemma faced by the police as the legislation only regulated marriage between gay couples. "There is a difference between sexual orientation and gender identity and it does not necessarily follow that because you feel more effeminate that you are gay," he said.

However, he did say that effeminate men were far more likely to be raped in prison, a statement supported by the Jali Commission that investigated corruption and violence in prisons.

This article was originally published on page 6 of Daily News on March 30, 2007

FRY BIG FISH TO CLEAN UP CORRUPTION

Cheerful news today I see, the most cheerful aspect of the whole lot is that you and I as members of Joe Public, get to dig deeper into our own pockets to pay for all the legal representation that this is going to take. I recently read that Zuma's legal fees are to be paid out of the tax payer's money - why, what did we do that we have to be punished. Perhaps Mbeki, who seems to be very free with our money, should put his own pocket on the line - if he is so adament about paying for Zuma's legal fees, why doesn't he foot the bill in his personal capacity? We as members of Joe Public have to find our own money to pay the legal fees if we do the dirty - what makes people like Zuma any different?

Fry the big fish 'to clean up corruption'

January 23 2007 at 06:49AM
By Vusumi Ka Nzapheza

South Africa will have to fry bigger fish than fraudster Tony Yengeni if it is serious about fighting corruption, says Hennie van Vuuren of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). The institute has listed seven areas of governance vulnerable to corruption and emerging scandal this year.

The arms deal tops the list as Britain's serious fraud office investigates the payment by British Aerospace of R1-billion in commissions to secure contracts in South Africa's arms deal.

The arms deal remains a defining corruption drama in a democratic South Africa," Van Vuuren said. "This is likely to be a year of another trial for (former deputy president) Jacob Zuma, with indications that others will also be implicated.

"Corruption charges against Zuma, the ANC's deputy president and a presidential hopeful, were struck off the roll last year but may be brought again as the National Prosecuting Authority has continued its investigation.

After the arms industry, construction was one of the most corrupt sectors in the world, Van Vuuren said. The provision of infrastructure in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup might present opportunities for rogue elements wanting a piece of the action. He said there was enormous pressure to spend the budget under the tight deadlines.

"There is no doubt that contractors (big and small) are licking their lips at what the World Cup holds in store: a massive budget (R15-billion) that may already be moving upwards. "The third area vulnerable to corruption was the provision of basic services, a challenge for the government that offered elements in the political and economic elite the opportunity to steal from the poor, Van Vuuren said.

Van Vuuren sees the absence of regulations requiring the disclosure of private donations to political parties as a murky area that can be expected to give rise to bigger scandals than the recent Oilgate affair. He also cited the example of Chancellor House, said by the Mail & Guardian to be a front company set up by the ANC to seek profit on its behalf. It reportedly has interests in mining, engineering, logistics and IT.

White-collar crime, which costs the economy more than R50 billion a year, and the ghost of slain mining magnate Brett Kebble, were set to continue to trouble the country this year, Van Vuuren said. Parliament had shown it was not immune to corruption and there could be a "final few sparks" before Travelgate petered out.

Van Vuuren, who compiled the Apartheid Grand Corruption Report for the National Anti-Corruption Forum, also sees the possibility of another probe into the Information Scandal of the 1970s and the link with the Swiss bank accounts alleged to have been held by the late former president Nico Diederichs.

This article was originally published on page 2 of Pretoria News on January 23, 2007

FRAUDULENT MARRIAGE RACKET UNCOVERED IN KZN

Finally, someone with the balls to say "enough is enough'! I remember a couple of years ago there was a website that you could go to (I forget now what it was called), where people were urged to check out if they had been "married" or not. The story also involved 'someone' in the Department of Home affairs, but also included thousands of ID copies that had been made. Suddenly all these young girls were married. If memory serves me correctly it had something to do with Pakistan in particular. I remember dutifully entering my details into the appropriate spaces and waiting for what seemed like an age for the answer to come up, and then breathing a huge sigh of relief when I discovered that I was still happily single.

I must say though, that although I have never had the desire to enter the realm of matrimony, I can sort of understand why most people do and can just imagine a young girl, excited half to death about her upcoming nuptials, having dreamed of meeting her man and settling down and having the 2 point whatever required children, her whole life and then getting to the point where she is told "sorry honey, you can't get married, because you already are"!

Now that would make a good movie, either a thriller (well you have all the low life and underworld paying bribes etc) or an amusing comedy where the law takes a stand, just in the nick of time and her previous marriage is annulled just before the 'real' ceremony is about to take place, thereby saving the day! Damn! I'm in the wrong profession!

Jokes aside though, this is reprehensible - in my opinion, this is nothing short of identity fraud - using someone else name, life and circumstance in order to gain unauthorised entry into the country in order to perform acts of crime, is a crime in itself and those caught, both local and foreign, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

I know I would have been thoroughly disgusted to have learnt that I was indeed married not only to a complete stranger, but also one that had nothing but destruction to someone's way of life.

The time to take a stand is now - we need to report all crime, one at a time.

Fraudulent marriage racket uncovered in KZN

Lyse Comins

February 28 2007 at 04:45AM

Hundreds of fraudulent marriage certificates are thought to have been issued to a foreign national crime syndicate by a Pinetown home affairs official who was arrested at her office on Tuesday on charges of fraud and corruption.

KwaZulu-Natal home affairs manager Monde Maqula said the arrest was just "one of many that are to follow" during the department's ongoing investigations into the issuing of false marriage certificates to foreigners living illegally in South Africa. Maqula said that among the suspects were home affairs officials and clerics, who were taking bribes of between R150 and R200 for falsifying marriage certificates.

Police spokesperson Thembi Dube said investigators suspected that the 47-year-old woman had been issuing false marriage certificates to a syndicate that had bribed her to provide the service since 2005.

Police were investigating the syndicate and were hoping to effect further arrests soon. "She has been issuing fraudulent marriage certificates by punching them into the computer system, but the documents do not comply with the (official) requirements. Some spaces are not completed," she said.

Dube said police suspected that the woman had been colluding with foreign criminals who wanted to "get married" in order to apply for permanent residence to remain in the country and commit crime. She said police had received several complaints from people who had suddenly found themselves married to complete strangers.

The woman resisted arrest and was "shocked and aggressive" during the process. Police had to calm her down before taking her to the Pinetown police station, where she was charged. "It is definitely a syndicate, but at home affairs there is only one suspect right now. We are hoping to make more arrests," Dube said.

The woman will apply for bail, but we will weigh the value of the crime and if it is too complicated, we will oppose bail," she said. Maqula said the arrest of the woman was just one of many to come. "This process is just one of the many investigations that are being initiated by some of my officials in KwaZulu-Natal and they (suspects) include ministers of religion, officials from home affairs and other people.

"A number of Nigerians, Pakistanis and other foreign nationals have been illegally married by officials and ministers of religion to get South African citizenship. This means that they have access to health care and social grant benefits by fraudulent marriage.

It poses a risk to the security of the country and there are financial implications," Maqula said. "I have a bundle of not less than 10 fraudulent marriages involving one or two of these marriage officers in KwaZulu-Natal. There are (clerics) who have all the forms and are (issuing fraudulent marriage certificates).

The certificates then get sent to Home Affairs and when you dig down (you find that the people married) are foreign criminals. "As provincial home affairs manager in KwaZulu-Natal, I won't see our country being dragged down in the mud by certain individuals. Enough is enough. We need to stand up. "I have the names (of errant clerics) and will engage with the various denominations to highlight my concerns.

These culprits must either be struck off the roll (of marriage officers) and/or arrested. I'm committed and determined to clean them up, one by one. All those individuals who are irresponsible and greedy and bring the name of the department into disrepute must be arrested," he said.

This article was originally published on page 1 of The Mercury on February 28, 2007

BUSINESS START UP - WORKSHOP - RECEIPTS & BANKING

Good morning Bloggers - here's the next instalment! Have fun.

C. RECEIPTS AND BANKING

One of the first lessons that I learnt in life was that when you pay for something, you expect a receipt. Aren’t you often suspicious of a person behind the till who has just taken your hard earned cash for something that you have purchased, and he/she doesn’t look like they have put it through the till properly and there is no receipt forthcoming? It is one of the basic rules of bookkeeping, particularly if the transaction has been conducted in hard, cold cash and it also is one of the saviors of human folly! By issuing a receipt for money received, you are protecting the client (or the person who gave you the money), you are making life easier for your Bookkeeper/Accountant and you are providing an audit trail for anyone who needs to have one – you have nothing to hide. It is advisable to either have one person issuing receipts or alternatively that each person issuing receipts be in control of their own receipt book that has to be balanced back to the money received for the day. This will take a little planning, but once done will only take a few moments a day to reconcile. If you need a copy of what a receipt should look like please contact me and I will supply one to you at a cost.

1. Receipts should be made out as soon as the money and/or transaction has taken place. The receipt should have the name of the Company recorded on it, the date that the payment was received, the amount that was received (both in words and in figures). The name of the person and/or Company that paid the money in should also be recorded as well as the name and signature of the person who received the money. Whether the payment was made by cash, cheque or electronic means should also be indicated. The receipt should also have the invoice number recorded on it for ease of reference. This will assist the Bookkeeper/Accountant in reconciling the deposit book/bank statements back to the type of payment made and then back to the invoices. For reference sake, it might be a good idea to list the receipt numbers issued for the day on the deposit slip. It will also provide a clear trail as to what transpired.

2. When a receipt is cancelled for whatever reason, it should be clearly marked as “cancelled” and the date, on all of the copies. The original copy should be retained and attached (stapled) to the office copies, otherwise there is no proof that the transaction has in fact been cancelled and will not be worth anything in a court of law.

3. To ensure that duplicate receipts have not been issued to someone other than by the person writing out the receipts, you should check the receipt book to the deposit slips and/or bank statement and sign that it has been checked and that it is correct.

4. The receipts should be properly printed pre-numbered books. That is not to say that you have to go a get a whole bunch of pre-numbered receipt books printed with your Company or business logo and the whole shebang on it. The ones that you buy from any stationary shop are more than adequate. So that they cannot be confused with anyone else’s receipts – your Company or Business Unit stamp should appear on the original copy of the receipt. You can take this one step further and personalize the receipt – instead of boring old receipt # 001 you can add for example IA-001 (Internal Audit - 001) and so on. In this way your receipts will not be confused with anyone else’s. For those of you who have bookkeeping software, your computer should be able to produce an electronic receipt – you just have to set it up with the logo etc that you want or alternatively print it on Letter Head paper. It is advisable to have 3 copies of the receipt either written out or printed. The original to go to the Client, the second to go to the Bookkeeper/Accountant and one to remain in the office as your own proof.

5. It is a good idea to have a register of receipt books, particularly if there is going to be more than one person handling receipts at a time. This should be updated as and when receipt books are handed out. All unused receipt books should be kept under the control of a responsible person, other than the person issuing receipts. You cannot do a check on yourself! Well you shouldn’t have to at any way as it is like lying to yourself. Receipt books in use should be kept securely locked up by the person issuing those receipts – remember you are responsible for that receipt book! It’s no good signing for a receipt book and signing for the responsibility of that receipt book and then leaving it lying around for anyone (including a customer) to use and misuse. Use your common sense – if it has anything to do with money – lock it away!

Someone other than the people issuing receipts should also verify the receipt books on hand from time to time and this should be evidenced on the spread sheet.

Someone, other than the people issuing receipts should also verify that the receipts have been used consecutively and that all the receipt numbers are accounted for and that all the receipts either appear on the deposit slip and/or on the bank statement.

In the instances, where the business is big enough to have a cash office, where all the cashiers are housed, security needs to be of paramount importance. This is not only to ensure that the money is safe, but also to ensure that the staff are in no danger! Take a look at the banks. In most instances the tellers sit behind bullet proof glass – believe me it is not like that just to make it difficult for you to hear them! It is for their protection and for the protection of your money. Now I am not suggesting that you rush out and buy bullet proof glass for your office at home because you may be keeping cash/cheques etc there that you may want to be kept safe! What I am saying is that you should use good old fashioned common sense. Make sure that your security is adequate for your needs.

6. If a cheque that has been paid to you, is returned for whatever reason (post dated, stale insufficient funds etc), make sure that the cheque is returned to yourself and not the cashier that issued the receipt – this is to keep the admin functions separate. The receipt should then be reversed, with a detailed explanation and the client should be contacted and advised that the cheque has been returned and suitable arrangements made for the re-issuance of the cheque is to be made. Please remember that the bank will charge you for a cheque that has been returned, remember to pass this cost onto the client as well, as it can be in excess of R80.00. This also needs to be followed up until such time as the funds are received again. I would suggest some sort of book or notes be made, that can be kept in a file in order to keep a detailed log of what transpired.

7. When receiving cheques as payments, take the time to have a quick check. The date must be current – by that I mean it cannot be more than 6 months old or it will be considered stale, (unless otherwise stated on the face of the cheque). It cannot be post dated – if it is you will have to wait until the due date on the cheque to deposit it. The amount in words and figures must correspond. The cheque must be signed. The cheque must be crossed with the words “NOT TRANSFERABLE”. There cannot be any alterations and/or amendments. If there are any problems with the cheque and you deposit it, the bank will return it and they will charge you for the privilege. So rather be safe than sorry, make sure that the cheque is in order.
__________________

THE POWER OF NETWORKING - PART 6

THE POWER OF NETWORKING

Part 6

I promised to continue this section with your approach and attitude to Networking.

Most people seem to approach a Networking meeting with the “Let’s see what’s in it for me” glint in their eyes. Let’s face it folks, as Trevor Nel of Inner circle always says “We all come to these meetings to sell, not to buy”. So what would make your service, your widget your IP so much greater than the next person? Why would everyone in the room, suddenly stop wanting to sell their wares and in a unique 120 degree turn, all want to buy something from you – well the obvious answer is nothing!

So, you’re pretty much not going to achieve anything if you expect to be selling 50 deals on the night (day and/or whenever) of the meeting. Clearly your mindset needs to change.

Why not try going into the meeting with the idea that a) you are going to meet a whole new bunch of people (who also know a whole new bunch of people) and in doing so, you will strengthen and add to your data base or b) you are going to meet a whole new bunch of people who you can leverage off and perhaps form Strategic Alliances or Joint Ventures with or c) now here’s a unique thought – how about you are going to meet a whole new bunch of people who you can actually assist by pointing them in the right direction and thereby being a huge “Value Add” in their businesses.

Either way, you will have scored big time and will also have had value added to your network, your database and your business.

Networking for me, is about giving assistance and being of help to someone else, believe me – the more help you give the more business you will write. That’s not to say that you become a “mother Theresa” type of figure – you still have to make money to put food on the table, but at this point money should not be your primary objective.

So the next time you go to a Networking event, make sure that your mindset is right, it will open up a whole new avenue to you and help with building new relationships, which in turn will bring you an abundance of new business.

I will continue this saga next week, with some more tips on Networking. Remember if you would like a copy of Helen Nicholson’s book “Networking: The Unwritten Rule of Business you need to know”, please mail her on helen@helennicholson.co.za.THE POWER OF NETWORKING

Part 6

I promised to continue this section with your approach and attitude to Networking.

Most people seem to approach a Networking meeting with the “Let’s see what’s in it for me” glint in their eyes. Let’s face it folks, as Trevor Nel of Inner circle always says “We all come to these meetings to sell, not to buy”. So what would make your service, your widget your IP so much greater than the next person? Why would everyone in the room, suddenly stop wanting to sell their wares and in a unique 120 degree turn, all want to buy something from you – well the obvious answer is nothing!

So, you’re pretty much not going to achieve anything if you expect to be selling 50 deals on the night (day and/or whenever) of the meeting. Clearly your mindset needs to change.

Why not try going into the meeting with the idea that a) you are going to meet a whole new bunch of people (who also know a whole new bunch of people) and in doing so, you will strengthen and add to your data base or b) you are going to meet a whole new bunch of people who you can leverage off and perhaps form Strategic Alliances or Joint Ventures with or c) now here’s a unique thought – how about you are going to meet a whole new bunch of people who you can actually assist by pointing them in the right direction and thereby being a huge “Value Add” in their businesses.

Either way, you will have scored big time and will also have had value added to your network, your database and your business.

Networking for me, is about giving assistance and being of help to someone else, believe me – the more help you give the more business you will write. That’s not to say that you become a “mother Theresa” type of figure – you still have to make money to put food on the table, but at this point money should not be your primary objective.

So the next time you go to a Networking event, make sure that your mindset is right, it will open up a whole new avenue to you and help with building new relationships, which in turn will bring you an abundance of new business.

I will continue this saga next week, with some more tips on Networking. Remember if you would like a copy of Helen Nicholson’s book “Networking: The Unwritten Rule of Business you need to know”, please mail her on helen@helennicholson.co.za.

EMPTY HEADS

The quote today came to me as an e-mail from my friend Deon Pretorius, although I doubt very much, that he himself wrote it. Thank you Deon!

"It may be bad manners to talk with your mouth full, but it's worse if you speak when your head is empty"

What an incredibly profound statement, and one certainly that I think that we as both individuals and even business owners have been guilty of at least once in our lives! I know that I certainly have.

Perhaps it is a wake up call for us to fill the "empty" space in our heads that we all get from time to time, at least with the things that matter before we shoot our mouths off. Let's be aware of what we are doing, to ourselves, our reputations and our businesses, before we open our proverbial mouths to change feet.

Have an awesome week everyone.

Regards

Nikki

WHAT WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO

Good morning bloggers, I hope that you are enjoying the Sunday funnies

DRIVING

Two elderly women were out driving in a large car - both could barely see over the dashboard. As they were cruising along, they came to an intersection. The stoplight was red, but they just went on through. The woman in the passenger seat thought to herself "I must be losing it. I could have sworn we just went through a red light." After a few more minutes, they came to another intersection and the light was red again. Again, they went right through The woman in the passenger seat was almost sure that the light had been red but was really concerned that she was losing it. She was getting nervous At the next intersection, sure enough, the light was red and they went on through. So, she turned to the other woman and said, "Mildred, did you know that we just ran through three red lights in a row? You could have killed us both!" Mildred turned to her and said, "Oh, am I driving ?"
_______________________________________________________________________
LOST IN THE DARNDEST PLACES:
An elderly Floridian called 911 on her cell phone to report that her car has been broken into. She is hysterical as she explains her situation to the dispatcher: "They've stolen the stereo, the steering wheel, the brake pedal and even the accelerator!" she cried.
The dispatcher said, "Stay calm. An officer is on the way."
A few minutes later, the officer radios in. "Disregard." He says. "She got in the back-seat by mistake." ________________________________________________________________________
FAMILY
Three sisters, ages 92, 94 and 96, live in a house together. One night the 96-year-old draws a bath. She puts her foot in and pauses. She yells to the other sisters, "Was I getting in or out of the bath?" The 94-year-old yells back, "I don't know. I'll come up and see." She starts up the stairs and pauses "Was I going up the stairs or down?" The 92-year-old is sitting at the kitchen table having tea listening to her sisters. She shakes her head and says, "I sure hope I never get that forgetful, knock on wood." She then yells, "I'll come up and help both of you as soon as I see who's at the door." ________________________________________________________________________
OLD FRIENDS:
Two elderly ladies had been friends for many decades. Over the years, they had shared all kinds of activities and adventures. Lately, their activities had been limited to meeting a few times a week to play cards. One day, they were playing cards when one looked at the other and said, "Now don't get mad at me .. I know we've been friends for a long time, but I just can't think of your name! I've thought and thought, but I can't remember it. Please tell me what your name is."
Her friend glared at her. For at least three minutes she just stared and glared at her. Finally she said, "How soon do you need to know?"

DON'T BE DUPED BY THE LATEST ATM SCAM

Be careful out there poeple! Logic must tell you that if you put the pin in incorrectly (and that includes putting the pin in, in reverse) the ATM (being a computer) will not recognise it as yours!

If it doesn't sound right, it usually isn't.

November 29 2006 at 12:05AM

Absa has quashed claims made in a circulating email indicating that ATM users can type their PINs in reverse to alert police of suspicious people waiting to rob them of their cash.

Absa spokesperson Errol Smith said the circulating email was incorrect and disappointing. "We have become aware that there's a circulating email claiming that if ATM users type in their PIN in reverse the police would come and assist them at a specific ATM," he said in a statement onTuesday.

"We want to warn our customers that this ATM PIN reversal functionality does not exist at Absa ATMs. By entering your PIN in reverse you will not notify the police in anyway, nor will cash be dispensed from ATMs."

According to the email, when ATM users suspect any unbecoming behaviour, they can simply use their PINs in reverse and still get their cash knowing that help is on its way. But Smith warns that doing so could result in the ATM refusing the transaction or a restrictive hold being placed on the account holder's card.

"If a PIN is entered in reverse, the ATM will decline the transaction and display the error message: Invalid PIN entered. "He also refuted claims by the email that this PIN information was broadcast on TV.

"Absa has no knowledge of such a broadcast which informed people that the PIN function was seldom used because people did not know it existed.

"The bank was investigating the origins of the email. - Sapa

DETERMINED MBEKI TALKS TOUGH ON CRIME

Ultimately, we need to turn the talk into action, and whilst I agree in part that many of the crimes committed are by the poor, in desperate need of food and shelter, alot of the crime that is perpetrated, is organized by well heeled 'mafia' type operations to which crime has become big business. These also need to be dealt with. Blaming the poor for these types of syndicates is a load of BS and these people, when caught, must be punished to the fullest extent of the law - this will send out a message to any other's who may be on this particular band wagon and perhaps act as some sort of deterrent.

Here endith the tirade for today!

February 15 2007 at 11:38PM

By Wendell Roelf

President Thabo Mbeki vowed on Thursday to carry out a pledge to reduce the country's high level of violent crime amid accusations that his government had turned a blind eye to the problem.

"I reaffirm that the government will do everything possible to act on what we have promised," Mbeki told parliament less than a week after declaring that tackling social problems like poverty and crime were his priorities for 2007.

Responding to critical remarks by many opposition parliamentarians in a two-day debate on his February 9 State of the Nation address, Mbeki focused on action to tackle crime but said crime could not be eradicated without also reducing poverty.

The government has made progress in combating crime, Mbeki said, but he conceded that more needed to be done. The bulk of violent crimes occur in poor, marginalised communities that have an "almost irreversible sense of hopelessness," he said.

In his February 9 address, Mbeki acknowledged that many South Africans lived in fear of crime and announced plans to expand the police force and give officers more resources to pursue criminals. Opposition parties and the media have accused Mbeki of lacking the resolve and vision to tackle crime, which some believe is spiralling out of control in Johannesburg, the country's economic hub, and in other major cities.

South Africa has some of the world's highest rates of violent crime, including 18 528 murders last year, and has been jarred by a series of sensational crimes, including the murder of a prominent South African historian last month.

Business leaders have expressed fears that, if left unchecked, this could deter tourism and foreign investment in Africa's biggest economy and ruin the country's chances of successfully hosting the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Unease about the problem and Mbeki's approach to it recently pushed First National Bank to plan a campaign to encourage citizens to write to Mbeki about their experiences of crime. The drive was dropped at the last minute after pressure from officials and business leaders close to Mbeki, according to news reports.

The trade union Solidarity, however, was not silenced when Mbeki's office failed to confirm receipt of thousands of crime-related emails generated by the union's website. On Thursday the predominantly white union arranged for 32 000 letters to be delivered in wheelbarrows to Mbeki's office in the capital Pretoria as part of its "Stop the Murders" campaign."We want to point out to the president that crime is more than statistics, that it's something that affects ordinary citizens of our country," union general secretary Dick Hermann told reporters.

CORRUPT COPS : IT'S YOUR FAULT

Well now this is an interesting take on things - let's just shift the blame shall we! In terms of this, it is not a murders fault that he/she killed someone, it's the victims fault for being there to be murdered.

Clearly I have the whole thing arse about face!

Let's see now . . . Isn't the whole point of having a police force is to maintain law and order? If we did not have a corrupt society and/or a lawless society, there would be no need for a police force. It was my understanding that the police were supposed to be above lawlessness and corruption, but clearly I have got the whole thing wrong!

Police who take bribes and who break the law, are in my opinion no better than the criminals that they track down and they should be punished in the same manner.

Believe it or not there are some men and women, in blue who are not corrupt and who do not take bribes and who try and uphold the law who are now being tarnished with the same brush as those who participate in these endeavours.

So, acting provincial SAPS Commissioner Mr Bala Naidoo, stop making excuses for yourself and your corrupt officials and instead of wasting everyone's time with these useless meanderings, start prosecuting the corrupt policemen and women and make them examples of what the people will no longer tolerate!

January 05 2007 at 12:14PM
By Miranda Andrew

Corruption among Durban's police forces is alarmingly high. Senior police officers and concerned security analysts agree that corruption is rife in some of the city's bigger police stations. But senior police officers have blamed the public, saying they are encouraging corruption by offering bribes. Experts say that police are so corrupt that most communities would rather trust private security firms than the men in blue.

Durban regional court magistrate Keshore Lalbahadur on Thursday also lamented the plague of corrupt officials. Speaking before taking up his new post as regional court president of the Free State, Lalbahadur said "there are simply too many corrupt officials who are encouraging crime". Everyone had to work together to root out the problems, he said.

The latest soul-searching about police corruption in the city comes after recent reports about alleged corruption at the Sydenham and Phoenix police stations. In December Metro police officers accused some Phoenix SAPS officers of hindering a legitimate police operation against a popular shebeen that has operated illegally for years with seeming impunity. This week the spotlight turned to Sydenham Police Station after a blood sample taken from a drunk driver during a festive season roadblock was allegedly stolen from a secure location accessible only to police officers.

These two cases, and dozens more, are being investigated by the police watchdog, the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD). "The police are the cornerstone of all communities and if that falls apart, then communities live in fear. That is the situation at present," Koos van Rooyen, chairman of the KZN branch of the South African Security Association (SASA) said on Thursday.

Van Rooyen, a former policeman in the Durban North Murder and Robbery Unit, said there was a big problem in Durban and it would never change unless senior management was held accountable. "The problems will never be changed from the bottom up, changes can only come from the top," he said. A recent study by SASA shows that the majority of South Africans trust their private security companies more than the police. "And this should never be the case," Rooyen added. "The authorities should keep the public informed about the outcome of corruption investigations.

This builds confidence in the system and tells other corrupt policemen that they will not get away with it," he said. Meanwhile, acting provincial SAPS Commissioner Bala Naidoo said that for corruption to take place, there must also be corrupt residents involved. "For every corrupt officer there is a corrupt member of public and that's what people need to understand," said Naidoo. Metro police spokesperson Supt Alec Wright agreed that the public consents to such corruption by paying bribes. "Unfortunately, a corrupt officer can tarnish the police image, but sometimes the public themselves are found guilty of entertaining the corruption by offering bribes to police," Wright said.

He explained that officers who have been found guilty of corruption have been dealt with departmentally and even criminally.

This article was originally published on page 1 of Daily News on January 05, 2007

BUSINESS START UP - WORKSHOP - BANKING ACCOUNTS.

Good morning bloggers - here's the latest offering on my Startup Business Workshop. Remember if you have any questions, ask them in the form of a comment so that all can get to see.

B BANKING ACCOUNTS

The objective of this section is to ensure that proper banking accounts are maintained in compliance with the law and accounting practices.

1. It is imperative to have and maintain separate business and personal banking accounts. Not everything can be claimed in terms of taxes from your business account and it is therefore advisable to have all your business income and expenses running through the business account and everything else running through your personal account. You need to make sure, with your Accountant/Bookkeeper what you can and what can’t claim, in terms of tax, as a business expense. For example, if you were running a pre-school nursery from the same premises that you lived in you could claim, from the business, all the jungle gyms, swings, splash pools, books etc that you purchased, but if you ran your Internal Audit business from home, this would not be accepted as a business expense! So be sure of what you are doing – the tax man is at liberty to check everything and if he thinks that you are doing him out of any money – he will hound you!

2. Keep control of your business – own it with every fibre of your being! Make sure that what is supposed to come in does. Don’t just sit there and think, well I raised the invoice and therefore it will be paid! People hate parting with money, some have cash flow problems, some are waiting for other people to pay them – whatever the reason, very few people do what they say or even what they are supposed to. Make sure, once you have raised the invoice that the money has come in. An easy way to maintain and check this is to have a spread sheet (either manually or on the computer) – this will serve several purposes. Firstly it will assist you in ensuring that your invoices run consecutively and that you don’t miss out any. Missing invoices are always suspicious and if you are being audited by your Head Office or by outside Auditors or even a SARS audit, you may have to “please explain why you have missing invoices”. Again remember the burden of proof is on you to show that the taxes you have paid are in line with the money that you have earned and if you have a missing invoice this cannot be done!

Secondly, it will, at a glance, evidence the date that the invoice was raised. This is useful if you have a query and will circumvent having to look up that particular invoice.

Thirdly, the date that the payment was received into your bank account should be noted. Again this is useful in keeping track of who your bad payers are. You can also see, all in one place, what has been paid and what is outstanding. Your accounts receivable can be managed much more effectively. You can see what is supposed to be coming in and what has come in without actually having to look up each and every invoice and match it back to the bank statement that it actually came in on. If you don’t do proper reconciliations this may be even more time consuming than you originally anticipated as your invoice may only have been paid 6 or 7 months or even longer, from the time that you actually raised the invoice.

Then there are expenses related to your income in the form, for example, Royalties. These can also be calculated once the payments have been received and you are then in a better position to see what you have to pay out and what forms part of your expenses.

It helps you to manage your money – that may sound like stating the obvious – but again, you would really be surprised at the number of people who have no idea what comes into their account and what goes out, or what is due to go out. They call up a statement on the internet or at an ATM and if there is money in the account it gets spent, without any thought to what still has to go through the account and what they still owe.

You can purchase a copy of the spreadsheet that we have just discussed, from me and you will note that all the major details are recorded such as the Client’s name , the amount of the invoice, the invoice #, the date that the invoice was paid into the bank account, expenses such as Royalties and the date that they were paid. You can add to or take from the spreadsheet and adapt it to suit your particular business. Such a simple document and yet is saves so much time and effort and it only takes a few moments to maintain.

3. Under the Banking Accounts comes your VAT again. I know that I have discussed this previously, but I am going to do it yet again! In fact I cannot stress this point enough – make sure that your VAT is paid over every two months – don’t get behind, it is a costly exercise and could end up in you losing your business. Put a repeat message on your cell phone, write it in your diary at the beginning of the year, for the whole year – do whatever it takes, but pay the VAT on time!

4. Year end financial statements – say what? These are statements that the Accountant puts together to show you how much you earned during the course of the year and how much you spent and therefore that’s what your profit is and that is what you also pay tax on! It is therefore important that you have a properly accredited Accountant who knows what he/she is doing as you obviously want to pay as little tax as is legally possible!

It is also another form of control for you as you can see and compare what you paid out last year to what you paid out this year and in this way make an educated guess (with a few more details that is) on what you will probably pay out next year. This helps you to plan, to cut back on unnecessary expenses or perhaps convince you to pay that much more on say – marketing or advertising. It will help you to calculate your invariable expenses for the following year (salaries, rentals etc) and plan and/or control your variables (entertainment, fuel, telephones etc). Perhaps you will see some of the variables spinning out of control and you can do something about and monitor it on a more drastic level.

If you own a business unit and/or Franchise, the Head Office will require a copy of this statement, once the Accountant has signed off to say that all the details contained therein are complete and accurate. In this instance, do yourself a favour and have one less thing to worry about and remember – instruct your Accountant to automatically forward a copy of the Year End Financial Statements to Head Office. This is your confidential information, so I would suggest that it gets marked for the Specific attention of “The Group Accountant” or the title of whomever you want to send it to, rather than just the name of the person. The reason for that is that people change jobs often – here today and gone tomorrow. You don’t want to have to change your instruction to the Accountant every time someone at Head Office leaves (and nor would you probably remember to do so), so make it a generic somebody.

THE POWER OF NETWORKING - PART 5

Hello everyone - Tuesday is Networking day!

THE POWER OF NETWORKING

Part 5

I promised to continue this section with some great tips to Network with.

Let’s start off with some of Helen’s tips that she mentions in her book;

Follow Through – Helen writes “It is estimated that 3% of people follow up after meeting new people.”

The 97% that don’t follow up must all belong, well in part anyway, to the “Reluctant Entrepreneur” foundation that I was talking about in previous postings.

Yip, right people – everyone is just blown away by your product/widget/service that you are peddling at whichever networking event that you are at and they are going to do each other harm, in the rush to get to your door to do business with you! I guess some people just live in a perpetual dream world!

YOU have to make it work! Take the person’s business card, tell them that you are going to connect with them and then . . . wait for it . . . . yes, that’s right, you actually do phone them! What a novel idea!

In fact what you should be doing is sending them a mail with your Business Profile on it and in the e-mail, re-iterate that you will be contacting them in the near future and then actually contact them.

The reason that you are contacting them is to set up an appointment for a ‘one-on-one’ meeting. Yes I know that having these meetings can become tedious and time consuming, but this is the way to do it. Set up the meeting and actually pitch up. In my opinion, people who do not pitch up for meetings, or phone and cancel are disrespectful to me. Not only are they disrespectful, but their behaviour also tells me who they are, in one word - unreliable!

The reason you are having a ‘one-on-one’ meeting is to find out more about what they do. Your first question should be along the lines of “Tell me more about yourself and your business – I need to understand more about what you do in order to help you with people in my data base who may need your assistance/widget/services.”

Starting your meeting in this manner, does two things: 1) It gives the other person the opportunity for them to talk (and you to listen… carefully) and 2) They will then feel obliged to ask you what it is that you do and then try to assist you. Human nature and a person’s sub conscience will make them feel the need to reciprocate in some way.

Listen carefully to what they are saying about what it is that they do/sell etc and ask questions about the widgets/services until you have a basic idea (you don’t have to understand it 100% - remember you don’t have to know how to build a car in order to drive one).

Think about the people you have in your database/network and see if you can introduce them to the people who they may have synergies with and/or who may have need of their widgets/services. Help them make the connection.

I will continue this saga next week, with your approach and attitude to Networking. Remember if you would like a copy of Helen Nicholson’s book “Networking: The Unwritten Rule of Business you need to know”, please mail her on helen@helennicholson.co.za.

A CHINESE PROVERB

Good morning bloggers! The quote today is a Chinese Proverb and I have no idea who write it:

"CHINESE PROVERB

To guess is cheap
To guess wrong – is expensive"

Many of us, in our business lives (and often in our own personal lives too) seem to think that it is easier just to assume that we know what we are doing! We march blindly into the 'lion's den' and then when the King of the Beasts comes roaring out and we are just about to be devoured. . . we look around us in absolute disbelief and "wonder what the hell happened!"

We blame everyone we can think of from the President of the country to the cleaning lady in our favorite coffee shop, but God forbid, that we should have a look at what we have done and take any kind of responsibility for our own actions!

Many of us for example will take Stock Exchange advise from our gardeners, our mechanics, our grocers - but God forbid we should actually pay "good" money for good advice from someone who works at the Stock Exchange and knows what the hell that they are doing! And then when we lose all the money, we blame the gardener, our mechanics, the grocer - and everyone inbetween. Everyone, except ourselves for making the stupid, expensive guess that these people would know more than the professionals!

Or - how about the business owner, who can add one plus one and get two and now that makes him/her a bookkeeper? Good grief people - think about what you are doing? Do you have the correct. . . take one step back, any knowledge about the tax laws and what you can claim for and what you can't? Do you know what you can legally claim, as a business expense? Do you know how to read a balance sheet, a trial balance, an Income & Expense statement? Do you know how to do a cash flow? Do you do your banking reconciliations - in fact do you you know what a reconciliation is? Do you do your books on a monthly basis? Perhaps I should re-phrase that, do you have the time and/or the inclination to do your books on a monthly basis (and I am not merely referring to raising your invoices). If the answer to any of these is no - then, in my opinion you have a problem!

Or - how about my personal favorite? We ask advice from everyone that will give us the time of day and when we hear the advice that sounds like what we would 'like to hear' then that is the advice that we take, because 'after all - sally the hairdresser knows everything that there is to know about VAT on imports - why wouldn't she?'

Get real people! If you don't know the answer to a question, go to the person who is qualified to answer it. Do the research

Are you getting the point yet!

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN . . MEN & WOMEN

Thank you to Gavin from the Business Warrior (www.businesswarriors.co.za) for supplying the funnies for today. Hope you all enjoy!

Men and women

1. NAMES

If Laurie, Linda, Elizabeth and Barbara go out for lunch, they willcall each other Laurie, Linda, Elizabeth and Barbara. If Mark, Chris, Eric and Tom go out, they will affectionately refer to each other as Fat Boy, Godzilla, Peanut-Head and Scrappy.

2. EATING OUT

When the bill arrives, Mark, Chris, Eric and Tom will each throw in$20, even though it's only for $32.50. None of them will have anything smaller and none will actually admit they want change back. When the girls get their bill, out come the pocket calculators.

3. MONEY

A man will pay $2 for a $1 item he needs. A woman will pay $1 for a $2 item that she doesn't need but it's on sale.

4. BATHROOMS

A man has five items in his bathroom: a toothbrush, shaving cream,razor, a bar of soap, and a towel from the Marriott. The average number of items in the typical woman's bathroom is 337. A man would not be able to identify most of these items.

5. ARGUMENTS

A woman has the last word in any argument. Anything a man says after that is the beginning of a new argument.

6. CATS

Women love cats. Men say they love cats, but when women aren'tlooking, men kick cats.

7. FUTURE

A woman worries about the future until she gets a husband. A man never worries about the future until he gets a wife.

8. SUCCESS

A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. A successful woman is one who can find such a man.

9. MARRIAGE

A woman marries a man expecting he will change, but he doesn't. A man marries a woman expecting that she won't change and she does.

10. DRESSING UP

A woman will dress up to go shopping, water the plants, empty the garbage, answer the phone, read a book, and get the mail. A man will dress up for weddings and funerals.

11. NATURAL

Men wake up as good-looking as they went to bed. Women somehow deteriorate during the night.

12. OFFSPRING

Ah, children. A woman knows all about her children. She knows about dentist appointments and romances, best friends, favourite foods, secret fears and hopes and dreams. A man is vaguely aware of some short people living in the house.

13. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Any married man should forget his mistakes. There's no use in two people remembering the same thing.

AND FINALLY.....

A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position. As they passed a barnyard of mules, jack asses, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?"

"Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."

Gavin Goodwine-mail: gavin@tlh.co.za[url=http://www.lodgeliving.co.za

BODY OF MISSING GIRL FOUND IN CEILING

What is it with pink tops and blue jeans and bodies in ceilings, here is South Africa at the moment?

Men who do terrible things to little girls, who think that they will not be found out - I know that we b*&^ch and moan about the police force and how useless they are and how corrupt they are, but there are some in there who are just the same as us, and who want to see justice done and will find the person (s) who did this! But how cruel can they be to stuff her lifeless body into the ceiling of her own home! Imagine the trauma that her poor mother must be going through right now!

My condolences and thoughts are with you.

March 11 2007 at 10:51PM

The body of an 11-year-old girl who was reported missing on Friday has been found in her mother's house in Mitchells Plain, Cape Town police said.

Superintendent Billy Jones said that Anestacia Wiese's body was found in the ceiling of her mother's home in Children's Way, Woodbridge, on Sunday morning. He said the girl's body was found by a close relative and a member of the neighbourhood watch.

Jones said the cause of the girl's death had not been established and the forensic team was still on the scene. A male family friend had been taken in for questioning, but had not been charged.

The man was the last person that Anestacia was seen with, walking towards a nearby school. Her mother last saw her at 11am on Friday when she went to the shop about a block away from her home. She was wearing a pink top and blue jeans.

The Sunday Time quoted her mother, Janine Wiese, saying she had fetched Anestacia from school and taken her home on Friday. "Then she said to me: 'Mama, I'm coming now, I'm just going to buy something from the shop.' She was going to but herself some chips," Wiese said.

BEATINGS HAPPENED "TOO OFTEN" TO BE REPORTED

How many times is "too often"? I can sort of kind of understand someone not reporting that a child was beaten if it was a "once" off - but a child being beaten often, as clearly happened in this case, should have been reported long ago.

In my opinion the whole bloody community should be charged with "aiding and abetting" or "obstuction of justice" or anything else that anyone else can think of! And as for being afraid that the "woman may target them" - good grief! Grow some backbone and be counted as a human being for goodness sake!

This is absolutely disgusting!

February 05 2007 at 10:55AM
By Nwabisa Nofemele

Widespread apathy and fear among community members could lead to a Port Elizabeth woman accused of beating her 12-year-old adopted daughter to death walking free. Her neighbours are not prepared to make a formal statement to police. Despite allegations by several New Brighton residents that the child was regularly beaten by her mother - and that they had heard screams coming from the house hours before she died last Sunday afternoon, neighbours said they did not want to get involved with police because they were scared of being targeted by the woman. They also said they had not gone to the child's aid because "the beatings happened too often".

Although there was general outrage among community members after the child's death, the allegations of abuse were only reported to police on Thursday - four days after the incident - after a community member heard residents talking about the case and felt compelled to report the claims of abuse to police.

Spokesperson Verna Brink said police had been called to the house last Sunday afternoon where the mother, a retired nurse who cannot be named because she has not been arrested or formally charged, told them the child had died "suddenly".

"Four people have come forward since Monday to say that the child did not die of natural causes, but was murdered, but none of those people was prepared to give a formal statement," Brink said. "Everybody complained that the girl had been murdered, but they didn't want to get involved because they had no proof," she said.

"We can't do a postmortem until we have a case number, and we can't open a case unless someone comes forward to give a statement," Brink said. A neighbour said that on the Sunday afternoon the mother had accused the girl of stealing R1 500 from her home. "She took her to a friend's house nearby where she said the girl should point out who she had spent the money with.

The girl did not, and she started beating her there. "They both came back home and she closed the door and beat her up. "I heard the child screaming, but I did not want to get involved this time because it was normal for her to beat up the child. "The neighbour said the girl had eventually become quiet. "Afterwards, I saw the mother leave the house and she came back with a relative.

"After a while, I saw a police van and the car from the mortuary." Another neighbour said the woman had only told her neighbours about three hours after the police had left that her daughter had died. "She said the child had had a stomach ache and had died," she said. "She was always accusing the child of stealing money and she would beat her with a kettle cord. "The child used to have ugly bruises on her body, but she would hide them."

The neighbours claimed that the girl had run away from home repeatedly, but the police would find her and bring her back home. Asked why they did not report the abuse to police, they said they were scared they would be targeted by the woman.

This article was originally published on page 4 of Cape Times on February 05, 2007

ARMS DEAL: NEW BRIBE PROBE LAUNCHED

Good morning bloggers. My apologies for no blog yesterday, but due to 'back to back' meetings and a power failure that continued into the early hours of this morning, it was beyond my control. Here is yesterdays posting.

Isn't this very nice! In the name of corruption and lining of the pockets, SA has once again had to pay billions, not millions mind you, but BILLIONS of additional Rand out for something. How nice for these guys that are lining their pockets at the cost of people who are starving, homeless and jobless! Would this money not have been better spent!

Where are the "Asset forfeiture" people now! Surely they should be raiding like crazy!

I guess some rules only apply to some people!

Regards

Nikki

January 07 2007 at 10:39AM

By Eleanor Momberg and Santosh Beharie

A former adviser to the defence ministry, now in the arms-manufacturing, supply and export business, is being investigated by Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO) for allegedly receiving substantial kickbacks from BAe Systems - the British company that won the contract to supply South Africa with 24 Hawk 100 trainer jets.

Britain's Guardian newspaper reported on Saturday that businessman Fana Hlongwane, a former adviser to defence minister Joe Modise, who died in 2001, was being investigated for receiving "substantial payments" from BAe Systems.

Hlongwane was reported to have been in a position to influence who would be awarded the £1,5-billion (about R21 billion) contract. It was won by BAe, although BAe charged nearly twice the price of a rival Italian bidder for its aircraft.

The investigation centres on claims of substantial payments to Hlongwane while he was Modise's adviser. At the time, Hlongwane was also a director of the parastatal arms company Denel, and of Osprey, a company BAe named as its agent handling commissions paid in South Africa.

Questions were raised about the aircraft-acquisition component of the arms deal when Modise changed the formula by which the winning bidder would be chosen. BAe and Saab won the bid to supply the Hawks and 28 Gripen fighter jets. BAe has acknowledged that it paid tens of millions of pounds in secret commissions to win the bid.

The company originally intended to pay 12 percent of the contract price in commissions, but agreed to cut that back to 7 percent - more than £100 million - following questions from the British authorities underwriting the deal. BAe made a substantial donation to the ANC after the contract was signed.

Hlongwane is a former Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) high command member. He was part of the high command delegation that testified before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission about the ANC armed wing's actions in South Africa during the struggle to end apartheid.

Hlongwane - once wined and dined by Tony Yengeni's co-accused, Michael Woerfel, the former European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company South African representative - is reported to own most of Ivema, a company that "provides innovative and specialised solutions for defence, security and humanitarian aid clients".

He is also a part owner of a military vehicle company, Uri. Hlongwane employed former South African National Defence Force chief General Siphiwe Nyanda, who since his departure from the SANDF has been an Ivema board member and security consultant, as the chief executive officer and managing director of Ngwane Defence Group, launched by Jeff Radebe, the transport minister, at last year's Africa Aerospace and Defence expo. Ngwane is a majority black-owned and controlled South African company run by former MK and SANDF commanders.

Its main focus areas are military vehicles, small- and medium-calibre weapons, security and humanitarian aid. According to Business Day, Ivema is one of the companies comprising Ngwane, along with Milkor Marketing, design company IAD, Midrand-based rifle-maker Truvelo Manufacturers, grenade-launcher maker Sonoro, and Uri.

Hlongwane could not be reached for comment on Saturday.According to the Guardian report, the Scorpions were handling a "mutual legal assistance" request from the SFO to investigate Hlongwane's financial accounts in relation to the 1999 deal.

Allegations of corruption related to the controversial multibillion-rand arms procurement process were earlier lodged against Modise. These included that Modise had received a £500 000 bribe from BAe and $10-million from a German consortium contracted to sell submarines to South Africa. While the Scorpions claimed not to know of a joint investigation with the SFO into Hlongwane's role in the arms deal, the SFO would neither confirm nor deny the report yesterday.

Scorpions spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi said yesterday that he was not aware of any "mutual legal assistance" between his organisation and the SFO. He said he had never heard of Fana Hlongwane before.

Patricia de Lille, who produced a dossier of evidence supporting allegations that ANC politicians and business people were involved in irregularities around the arms deal, welcomed the SFO probe. She said she would travel to Germany soon to give information to prosecutors investigating claims of corruption in the supply of warships to South Africa by Thomson CSF and Thyssen Krupp. The Guardian reported on the South African investigation soon after the British government abruptly halted an SFO inquiry into bribes allegedly paid by BAe to Saudi royals.

It reported that British Prime Minister Tony Blair said Britain's security would be endangered if the investigation continued.

This article was originally published on page 1 of Sunday Independent on January 07, 2007

BUSINESS START UP - WORKSHOP - INSURANCE

Good morning bloggers. Being a Wednesday, here's the next section of the Business Startup Workshop.

Remember if you have any queries, please post a comment.

Regards
Nikki

A. 9. Insurance

Is you business adequately insured? Are you adequately insured? When I say adequately insured, I mean are you insured for the right stuff? It is pointless for someone with a business in town to be insured for farming implements. Often the insurance that we are given by the broker/insurance company is not tailored to our specific needs, this would effectively mean that you are paying for insurance that you are not insured for the stuff that you should be insured for.

Remember insurance is a relatively broad thing – there is short term insurance and long term insurance.

Make sure that your short term insurance is correct – that’s you insuring for the all the “nuts and bolts” in your business. Your computer and printer, your office furniture and so on.

Then of course there is the long term insurance – if you have a partner (and this includes your wife/husband and/or significant other) in the business, you need to be insured in case something should happen to you. Have a look at getting yourself a buy/sell agreement. This will provide the surviving co-owners with funds to purchase the interest or share of the deceased or disabled co-owner.

It is a good idea at this point to make sure that your will is in order and that everything has been left to whomever it is that you want to leave it to. Make sure that you go to someone who knows what they are doing in terms of your will. Someone who does and/or specializes in Estate Planning and Trusts would be a good idea – if you are not sure who to go to, get in touch with me and I will give you some referrals and recommendations. Again, be prepared and write down your wishes and your ideas – this can then be worked on and into the legal document that will eventually become your will.

NETWORKING - PART 4

Up to date at last! Yay!

Please remember if you have any questions, share them with us and make a comment.

Regards

Nikki

THE POWER OF NETWORKING

Part 4

I promised to continue this section with why we need to Network. Again, I can only use myself and what I believe in as an example. As a natural networker, it is extremely difficult for me to understand how people don’t feel the need to network. Most of us use networking in some form or another on a daily basis.

Ha got you there didn’t I? Well we do! Ladies, if someone asks you where you got the new dress that you are wearing and you tell them where to go – you have networked. You have recommended that someone go to a specific place in order to purchase a specific item. That is a referral and referrals are part of networking. Gents, if you are telling your buddy about the new golf course that you played on over the weekend and suggest that they play a game there because it was fabulous (ok, so maybe you did not use the fabulous), you have networked. You have recommended that someone go to a specific place in order to purchase a specific item. Again that is a referral and referrals are part of networking!

So why is it so difficult to do it in the business arena, specifically when it is our own business? Who knows!

Anyway, today that is not the question on the table. The question is “Why do we need to network”. Well I suppose, strictly speaking, we don’t. We could go the really hard route and do the cold calling thing and knock on doors or try and book appointments with CEO’s and Directors of Companies by sweet talking or bribing the dragons called PA that protect their Lord and Masters from members of the General Public.

Networking is about taking our passion, together with our personal profiles or our own individual Branding and getting it out there, visable, so that people will refer others who need our services, widgets or whatever. Understand that this will not happen for very long if you cannot and do not deliver. So our credibility has to be strong and branding has to be clear in order for us to stand out from the crowd.

My take on this is that Business needs to be fun, and trudging around the planet having one door after another slammed in my face, because they have never heard of me, is not my idea of fun!

So I choose to Network. I choose to meet with people who are of the same mind as me. People who want to do business, who can make a decision and who know what they want and are prepared to go after it. People who make things happen rather than wonder, what the hell happened?

Going to networking meetings organises and structures this and makes the experience all the less painful – particularly if the meeting is facilitated or even partially facilitated. For one thing, there is no hidden agenda, we are all there to do business.

Make no mistake, networking is still hard work, but the bottom line is that you have a foot in the door. That is what a referral and/or lead is . . a foot in the door, now it is up to the individual. What are you going to do with the foot that is in the door.

Many people do not like to network because of their own misguided perceptions. I constantly hear “I never get any leads” (don’t forget to put the whiny voice in when you say these words) or “They’re a waste of time”.

Well that is because the person, who usually utters these statements, has sat in the meeting like a lump of lard and expected relationships to build themselves, or referrals and leads to fall out of the sky like manna from heaven, or to claw it’s way up out of the earth specifically to land as a contract in their laps! To them I say – get real!

Networking is about meeting the right people quickly and effortlessly, so that the business of relationship building can happen quickly, so that business can be referred and deals can be struck and money can be made.

So, do you still think that there is no reason for you to Network?

I will continue this saga next week, with some great tips to Network with. Remember if you would like a copy of Helen Nicholson’s book “Networking: The Unwritten Rule of Business you need to know”, please mail her on helen@helennicholson.co.za.

COMMON SENSE

Here's the funnies that would have been posted on the 11th March. I hope you enjoy!

Regards
Nikki

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as knowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, life isn't always fair, and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer Panadol, sun lotion or a Band Aid to a student – but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming
cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion;
his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm A Victim. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

I AM CRYSTAL METH

This is the post that would have been done on 10th March.

I don't believe that there is anything more than can be said.

Regards

Nikki

"I AM CRYSTAL METH "

This was written by a young girl who was in jail for drug charges, and was addicted to crystal meth . She wrote this while in jail. As you will soon read, she fully grasped the horrors of the drug, as she tells in this simple, yet profound poem. She was released from jail, but true to her story, the drug owned her.

Please keep praying for our Children, Teens, Young adults.

Understand, this thing is worse than any of us realize...

My Name is "TIK"

I destroy homes, I tear families apart, take your children, and that's just the start.
I'm more costly than diamonds, more precious than gold, The sorrow I bring is a sight to behold.

If you need me, remember! I'm easily found, I live all around you - in schools and in town.

I live with the rich; I live with the poor, I live down the street, and maybe next door.

I'm made in a lab, but not like you think, I can be made under the kitchen sink.

In your child's closet, and even in the woods, If this scares you to death, well it certainly should.
I have many names, but there's one you know best, I'm sure you've heard of me, my name is crystal meth .

My power is awesome; try me you'll see, But if you do, you may never break free.

Just try me once and I might let you go, But try me twice, and I'll own your soul.

When I possess you, you'll steal and you'll lie, You do what you have to -- just to get high.

The crimes you'll commit for my narcotic charms Will be worth the pleasure you'll feel in your arms, your lungs, your nose.

You'll lie to your mother; you'll steal from your dad, When you see their tears, you should feel sad.

But you'll forget your morals and how you were raised, I'll be your conscience, I'll teach you my ways.

I take kids from parents, and parents from kids, I turn people from God, and separate friends.
I'll take everything from you, your looks and your pride, I'll be with you always -- right by your side.

You'll give up everything - your family, your home, Your friends, your money, then you'll be alone.

I'll take and take, till you have nothing more to give, When I'm finished with you, you'll be lucky to live.

If you try me be warned - this is no game, If given the chance, I'll drive you insane.

I'll ravish your body, I'll control your mind, I'll own you completely, your soul will be mine.

The nightmares I'll give you while lying in bed, The voices you'll hear, from inside your head.

The sweats, the shakes, the visions you'll see, I want you to know, these are all gifts from me.

But then it's too late, and you'll know in your heart, That you are mine, and we shall not part.

You'll regret that you tried me, they always do, But you came to me, not I to you.

You knew this would happen, many times you were told, But you challenged my power, and chose to be bold.

You could have said no, and just walked away, If you could live that day over, now what would you say?

I'll be your master, you will be my slave, I'll even go with you, when you go to your grave.

Now that you have met me, what will you do? Will you try me or not? It's all up to you.

I can bring you more misery than words can tell, Come take my hand, let me lead you to hell...................

FAKES BREAK HEARTS

This is the post that would have been done on 9th March.

This is absolutely disgusting! It seems that Joe Public have to check and re-check everything so as not to fall prey to the devious amoungst us.

Regards

Nikki

Fakes break hearts this Valentine's Gems look like the real deal

February 07, 2007 Edition 1

Barbara Cole

THERE is a growing increase in the number of fake stones on the market and men with ideas on buying something sparkling and romantic for Valentine's Day should be on their guard - particularly if they want to buy the genuine article.

And it doesn't just apply to dazzling diamonds either, said local gemologist, Jeremy Rothon of The Gem Lab.

"Emeralds, rubies, sapphires, tanzanites and coloured diamonds too … some of the fakes are so good, that even reputable jewellers are being hoodwinked," he said.

Rothon said that while there was nothing wrong with buying synthetic (man-made) stones as they could be made into some beautiful jewellery, often fake stones were fobbed off as the genuine (natural) things.

And unsuspecting buyers were paying high prices for something which could be worth less than R100.

Rothon said a one-carat extra-fine blue sapphire (the real thing and not made up into a piece of jewellery) could cost a buyer R29 500, while a more sophisticated extra-fine quality artificial stone could be R2 800 and "the most common ones seen around town now" were R80 each.

A one-carat fancy blue diamond (the natural thing) could set the well-heeled back R1 million, while a one-carat synthetic blue diamond would be a mere R42 000, small change compared to a million rand.

Getting worse

Fakes have been in circulation for more than 100 years, but the problem seems to be getting worse, said Rothon yesterday.

Of the 43 stones that he has evaluated for jewellers and private clients this year, 32 have been fake.

It's enough to make big men cry and they have indeed been reduced to tears when they have discovered they have been ripped off.

"It's devastating to find out you have effectively been robbed," said Rothon.

But it doesn't mean that the original jewellers that victims bought their dud diamonds from were in on the scam. They too could have been taken in.

"Jewellers buy diamonds in good faith and sell them in good faith," explained Rothon.

However, there were always some unscrupulous jewellers who knowingly sold fakes or dealt with known crooks who had previously sold them synthetic stones, which largely came in from the east.

There is no easy test to tell the fake from the fabulously genuine either.

And the only way people and jewellers themselves can find out if a stone is natural or synthetic is to turn to a qualified gemologist for a scientific test.

"The only way to test the difference between natural and synthetic is through a microscope and even then it is quite difficult," said Rothon.

For a R60 outlay though, it's a small price to pay for peace of mind.

If the gem is genuine, a laboratory will issue a certificate. No certificates are issued for synthetic stones.

CONCERN OVER VIOLATION OF MANTO'S RIGHTS

This is the post that would have been done on 8th March

Shame guys! Shouldn't you give the minister some space, she needs to take her beetroot, her garlic and her lemon juice in peace!

Regards

Nikki

Concern over violation of Manto's rights

Johannesburg, South Africa

27 February 2007 06:07

The disregard for Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang's right to privacy is cause for deep concern, the Registrar of the Health Professions Council of South Africa said on Tuesday.

Registrar Boyce Mkhize voiced his concern about the "indiscriminate insensitivity and wanton disregard" of the minister's rights after she was admitted to Johannesburg General Hospital last Tuesday for treatment.

The minister's health had been under the spotlight since she returned to work a few weeks ago after suffering a long illness. Tshabalala-Msimang was admitted to the same hospital last year for several weeks, suffering from a lung infection. "Every citizen of this country ought to enjoy full protection of the law and constitutional rights enshrined in our Bill of Rights," Mkhize said in a statement."Every patient has a right to privacy and not to have their illness or ailment disclosed without their consent.

Mkhize said the doctor-patient relationship rests on this pillar of trust, which was about preserving confidentiality of patient data."No member of the public is entitled to know what the minister, or even the president suffers from, let alone the causes of such ailment as some excited journalists have attempted to establish."

Last week the Cabinet also objected to "highly personalised" comments in the media on Tshabalala-Msimang's well-being. The African National Congress also criticised a Democratic Alliance MP for her insensitive remarks about the minister. Mkhize said although the minister was a public figure, this did not mean there was a licence to an automatic and unrestrained trampling of her rights as an individual and that of her family.

He said he could not believe the insensitivity towards both the minister and to her family, who must be going through a difficult time. "I want to urge the hospital staff to ensure that they do not render themselves guilty of any ethical breaches by violating ... patient confidentiality," he said.

He warned that the council would not hesitate to take appropriate action if it was established that health professionals had disclosed patient information without the consent of the patient.Tshabalala-Msimang's spokesperson, Sibani Mngadi, said on Monday her condition was "improving speedily". -- Sapa

BUSINESS START UP - WORKSHOP - E-MAIL & CELL PHONE

Hi all - this is what would have been posted on 7th March. Remember if you have any questions make the comment.

A. 8. E-mail Addresses and Cell phone voice mail messages.

Make sure that your business e-mail address reflects either yourself and/or your business in a professional manner. It’s all very well having your personal e-mail address as a true reflection of yourself and perhaps your sense of humour, I mean it’s more than okay for all your mates to e-mail you with all the jokes to firstclassdingbat@yahoo.com, but I am sure that you will agree that this is not very professional and the joke will not always be taken in the manner in which it was meant – so think carefully about what it is that you are doing.

The same obviously goes for your voice mail message on your phone and whilst in this mode, the manner in which you answer your phone. Answering “WHAT”, because you are in the middle of a huge argument with your respective other, will not go down well with the CEO of a large corporation that you want to do business with at great cost to themselves and a very lucrative meal ticket for yourself! Always be professional.