20 Aug 2013

Government

Don't sucker Zucker

A researcher who hacked into Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg's profile to expose a security flaw won't be in the money. Facebook offers rewards for people who find security weaknesses, but not, apparently, if you target the big man himself... in which case you seem to be deemed a hacker who went too far.

Meanwhile, back at Armscor, Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has gunned for a couple of the top people and has fired the chairman and his deputy. The dismissals at the state-owned arms procurement agency‚ which are effective immediately‚ follow delays in crucial decisions that have stalled a R9bn manufacturing production contract for a new infantry fighting vehicle by Denel Land Systems (DLS).

Looking for a job? Juliette Attwell, writing this week in the BizCareers column, discusses the social media landscape and how it can affect your career.

Are you in the estate agency business and if so, do you use online marketing tools to generate sales? Here we show you some simple and cost-effective ways to embrace the internet and get the most out of it for your business.

And to end... Don't forget to vote in the Times' Creative Press Ad Challenge and stand a chance to win yourself a Samsung tablet.

Rod Baker, Content Director

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Weekly top stories

Minister fires Armscor chairman and deputy
[Hopewell Radebe] Defence and Military Veterans Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula on Wednesday (14 August) fired the chairman of Armscor's board of directors and his deputy. Read more >>

Government
Exploding media myths
[JP Landman] There are a number of enduring myths that seem to have a stranglehold on our public conversation, which diverts our attention from the real problems. Here are three myths articulated in some media during the past two weeks. Read more >>


Administration
Western Cape launches artisan development programme
[Bekezela Phakathi] In an effort to address the critical shortage of artisans in the country‚ the Western Cape provincial government on Monday (19 June) launched its R5.8m Artisan Development Programme‚ aimed at addressing youth unemployment in the province. Read more >>

SA has policies to stave off deindustrialisation danger
[Linda Ensor] "SA faced deindustrialisation‚ as evidenced in declining levels of employment in the manufacturing sector‚ factory closures‚ increasing imports and declining exports of some manufactured products‚" Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies said on Monday (19 August). Read more >>

Nominations open for public service awards
Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has called on all South Africans to nominate the best public servants who have served beyond expectation. Read more >>

Gauteng launches 25 year transport plan
Gauteng unveiled a 25-year transport plan on Monday (19 August) to accommodate larger numbers of people. Read more >>

New delay likely in the arms probe
Another possible postponement of the arms deal commission looms, with the Defence Department expected to raise issues about the process of declassifying documents. Read more >>

Bid to keep water flowing
For a second time in 10 years, government will attempt to set up an Eskom-style agency to manage SA's large water infrastructure investments. It will own, finance, operate and maintain critical national water infrastructure such as dams and pipelines. Read more >>

MTN suspends executive for Pule scandal
[Samuel Mungadze] Former Communications minister Dina Pule's information and communications technology (ICT) indaba scandal is refusing to die, with a top MTN executive having been suspended over the issue and taking legal action against his senior colleagues over the matter. Read more >>

Union, Motlanthe meet over rail fleet
Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe heard the Federation of Unions of SA's (Fedusa) concerns over a multi-billion rand fleet renewal programme. Read more >>

SA condemns Egyptian violence
South Africa has condemned violence used by Egyptian security forces to disperse pro-democracy demonstrations in Cairo and elsewhere. Read more >>

DA wants debate on Eastern Cape water crisis
The DA wants the Eastern Cape legislature to hold an urgent debate about unreliable water supply in Grahamstown, the party said on Thursday (15 August). Read more >>

Number of tax returns higher than 2012
[Amanda Visser] The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has seen an increase of 11% in the number of income tax returns filed during the first 45 days of the current tax filing season with more than 2m returns completed compared with the 1.8m submitted in the same period last year. Read more >>

Screening for immune system nutrients encouraged
[Tamar Kahn] Doctors and nurses should routinely screen under-nourished patients for deficiencies in key micronutrients involved in the immune system, says a panel appointed by the Academy of Science of SA. Read more >>

Three varsities get their houses in order
Of the five universities placed under administration by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande, three are on the road to recovery while problems continue at the other two. Read more >>

Rhodes may close if taps stay dry
[Schalk Mouton] Rhodes University in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape is under threat of closing down as the university - along with large parts of the town - has been without water for 10 days. Read more >>

Eastern Cape MEC to tackle audits
Eastern Cape local government MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane has called for a meeting with all the municipalities which received poor audits from the Auditor General. Read more >>

SALGA to help improve municipalities
Improving the audit outcomes in municipalities is top on the South African Local Government Association's agenda. Read more >>

IEC mulls specialised courts for elections
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) is exploring the possibility of setting up specialised courts to deal with any electoral crimes committed during the election period, the chairperson of the IEC Pansy Tlakula told Parliament this week. Read more >>

NTA not taken seriously by government
Government is not taking the taxi industry seriously, the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) said on Wednesday (14 August). Read more >>

Taxi industry seeks fuel subsidy
The government should give the taxi industry a fuel subsidy, the National Taxi Alliance (NTA) said on Wednesday (14 August) as the industry provided an important public service, general secretary Alpheus Mlalazi said. Read more >>

Building a better South Africa with advanced analytics
[Kroshlen Moodley] Declining tax revenues, requirements for maintaining high levels of service, unprecedented demands for increased efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability - these are all challenges that government is facing today and the demands placed on it have never been higher as our society utilises the social platforms available to them to become more engaged, vocal and informed. Read more >>

Gauteng gets new development MEC
Gauteng lawmaker Mxolisi Eric Xayiya has been appointed MEC for economic development in the province, Premier Nomvula Mokonyane said on Tuesday (13 August). Read more >>

Public transport vital for development
Public transport must help people access socio-economic opportunities, Eastern Cape transport MEC Thandiswa Marawu said on Tuesday (13 August). Read more >>

Municipalities 'stagnating': Report
The Consolidated General Report on the Local Government Audit Outcomes of 2011/12 has revealed a picture of stagnation. Read more >>

Superior Courts Bill signed into law
President Jacob Zuma has signed into law the Superior Courts Bill, which will restructure the judiciary and integrate the courts, while enhancing equal access to justice. Read more >>

Lonmin shooting undermines peace efforts - Modise
The fatal shooting of a Lonmin union leader on the eve of the anniversary of the Marikana tragedy undermines peace efforts and calls for united action, says North West Premier Thandi Modise. Read more >>

Cabinet discusses economic outlook, priorities
The Cabinet lekgotla underway in Pretoria will look at South Africa's economic outlook and progress. Read more >>

Govt calls for calm, dignity on Marikana anniversary
The chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on the Marikana Tragedy, Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane, has called for calm, reconciliation and unity as the country marks the first anniversary of the Marikana tragedy, which took place on August 16, 2012. Read more >>


Law Enforcement
Con court dismisses Marikana miners' appeal
The Constitutional Court yesterday turned down a request for leave to appeal brought by lawyers representing the injured and arrested miners in the Farlam Commission of Inquiry. Read more >>

KZN, Public Protector sign investigation protocol pact
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Zweli Mkhize and Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela have signed a protocol agreement, setting out clear procedures and timelines on how investigations against HODs and MECs will be handled. Read more >>

Committee briefed on plans for police university
The Police Department on Wednesday tabled its plans in Parliament to open a police university next year. Read more >>

Forum to ensure peace in mines
In an attempt to restore calm in the mining sector and reassure investors, South Africa on Wednesday launched the Mine Crime Combating Forum (MCCF). Read more >>

Hawks probe R12m eNatis deal
[Sipho Masombuka] Tasima, the consortium at the centre of the controversial multi-million-rand eNatis contract, is being accused of billing the Transport Department R12-million for work not done. Read more >>


International

Hackers who hit US media are back: security firm
WASHINGTON, US: The hackers who penetrated the computer network of The New York Times last year have resurfaced with an attack on "an organisation involved in shaping economic policy," experts have warned. Read more >>

Manning's mental health under spotlight at sentencing
FORT MEADE, US: US Army officers overseeing Bradley Manning ignored his angry outbursts and signs of mental health problems before he gave secret files to WikiLeaks, his defence lawyer alleged on Monday. Read more >>

Kerry defends internet spy programs
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA: US Secretary of State John Kerry visited Brazil on Tuesday following a stop in Colombia that saw him defending American internet surveillance programs. Read more >>


More International


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