[Rod Baker, content director] The controversial painting of the president "on view" so to speak, has just about everyone talking, so much so that in the smoke of battle it's easy to lose sight of other issues that are perhaps more demanding of our attention. So, while the ANC goes to court today in an effort to have the painting removed from view, Gwede Mantashe says the ANC is basically OK with the Press Freedom Commission report issued yesterday, but he has some thoughts on issues such as "lazy" journalists... read more
[Rod Baker, content director] According to Johan Botes, director in the employment practice at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr business law firm, an employer may be able to fire an employee who has slagged off the company, or an individual or two, on some social media platform. However, employers might be on shaky ground if they demand from an employee, or an applicant for employment, their personal, private usernames and passwords.
So, employers need to be aware that legislation protects employees against social media prying, and issues in that area need to be handled with great care.
Back in 2010, the DA awarded a tender to advertising agency TBWA/Hunt Lascaris to centralise communications. read more
[Rod Baker, content director] Now that the issue of e-tolling has been put on hold - and let's face it, nothing has really grabbed the public's attention like this whole sorry saga - the DA has asked Public Protector Thuli Madonsela to investigate the Gauteng e-toll collection contracts. Not only that, the DA wants the investigation to include a possible link to suspected arms deal corruption.
Adding to Sanral's woes, Pieter Conradie, director at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr business law firm, reckons that motorists now have no obligation to buy e-tags and, to add even more to the road agency's woes, Conradie also reckons that those people who have bought e-tags, should be able to return them for a refund.
Still on the legal front, Owen Dean says that trade marks are going up in smoke but asks whether the SA government, in proclaiming its intention to emulate the Australian government and prevent the use of brands on cigarette packets by legislation, has thought the matter through properly. read more
[Rod Baker, content director] Many observers in business reckon that South Africa's labour laws are too restrictive and actually hamper employment and damage business. Well, be that as it may, the Labour Relations Act is now being amended - this time to address labour broking and child labour (among other things), so it remains to be seen whether its critics are correct as our labour laws set a new course.
On the digital TV front, it appears the plans are in place... read more
[Rod Baker, content director] With a few days and counting to the imposition of e-tolling, Fedusa has entered the fray - along with a range of other bodies - in an effort to halt what must be ranked as one of the most deeply unpopular moves on the part of government. Fedusa has addressed an open letter to Zuma after, apparently, an earlier letter to him went unanswered - maybe he was busy on those wedding plans. read more
[Rod Baker, content director] After much hype and talk that South Africa is the preferred site for the Square Kilometre Array - and incidentally one of the largest investments in this country - it seems the project might end up being 'shared' between SA and Australia. This is despite even more talk from both sides that 'sharing' is not an option - so that comes about, the investment might not be as large as we had hoped, had we won the bid outright. read more
[Rod Baker, content director] Your government cares about you, you'll be pleased to know, and has taken note of your concerns (but not reduced its tax take etc, mind) regarding the latest fuel price increase, which has seen the liquid gold you pour into your precious metal going to highest price ever. But here's some excellent advice for you, just in case you hadn't thought of it already... read more
[Rod Baker, general manager: content] For those of you who don't believe it's possible to get blood out of a stone, your friendly taxman has a plan...
Not only has SARS proudly announced that tax collection has increased, but to cheer us all up, the government department we all love is going to tighten its tax collection laws. Apparently the aim is to target wealthy individuals who SARS reckons are costing the country millions of rands every year through tax evasion.
Still on the finance front, Amy Johnson shows you four ways to keep up with payroll and tax law so you don't fall foul of the above-mentioned.
About your mobile phone... read more
[Rod Baker, general manager: content] This week, on the music front, Stephen Hollis sets out the costs to the music industry and individual artists who produce the music we all enjoy as he discusses the rise of the pirates of the digital age, and we also look at a different type of piracy. This is a far more deadly one in terms of being life-threatening (and even more costly in monetary terms), and it is also receiving attention, this time on the high seas, with anti-piracy efforts being boosted by a joint navy exercise involving the German and South African navies.
For all of you who find bank fees... read more
[Rod Baker, general manager: content] On the legal front, veteran lawyer - Nelson Mandela's defence lawyer - George Bizos, told the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) that the Protection of State Information Bill ('the secrecy bill') is unconstitutional on several counts. Now, will those in favour of the bill actually listen to what he is telling them? Probably not.
Still on the legal front, following a comment by Jacob Zuma that dissenting judgements mean court rulings cannot be absolutely correct, acting deputy chief justice Zak Yacoob has said that dissenting judgements are actually a good thing - and not something to question. read more
[Sindy Peters, Content development manager] To the dismay of many South Africans, petrol is set to increase by 28c tomorrow, 7 March. Beat the afternoon bumper-to-bumper, and get your tank topped during the course of today. read more
[Rod Baker, general manager: content] Jimmy Manyi came out smoking over the controversial road tolls issue by telling everyone what we already know - that the tolls are not just a bad dream. True - for many, even at the reduced rates announced by Pravin Gordhan in his budget speech, the tolls will be worse than a bad dream... read more
[Rod Baker, general manager: content] Tomorrow, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan will either make or break your day, depending on what he says in his budget speech, and how what he says will affect you. We'll bring you the news and analysis as soon as we have it.
In the meantime, however, there's good news on the crime front, with serious crime levels apparently in decline and, what's more - especially if the plight of the rhino upsets you - the SANDF and law enforcement agencies are to fight border crimes - which should be good news for rhinos and very bad news - sometimes fatal news - for poachers. read more
[Rod Baker, general manager: content] Today's Valentine's Day, which, according to Wikipedia, was first established by Pope Gelasius I in 496 AD to honour a Saint Valentine. Nowadays, of course, many people use it to express affection for others (or simply to drive them mad with vexation over who sent them the card). read more
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