4 Jun 2013

Legal

Rhino poacher gets 11 years

... and there are many of us out there who wish Abel Mashabane had got more than 11 years in prison for poaching. As a fan of even numbers, I think 22 years has a nice ring to it.

GMOs must go... that's the message from protestors calling for a ban on genetically modified products. Monsanto was their target last weekend when hundreds of activists and lobbyists turned out for a protest at the company's head office in Fourways, Johannesburg.

He's a real man, but that didn't manage to get rhino activist, Steve Newman past the powers-that-be organising the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour; they have banned him from the race. However anyone wishing to support Newman, complete with his horn and very little else, can catch an eyeful, and give him support, when he "does" Daisies.

For crying out loud, it's a noble call, but when Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant calls on the unions to respect workers' rights, you just know she's on a beating to nowhere.

Let's face it... Have you ever heard of any union in this country ever admitting to their members being violent? Non-striking workers are intimidated, beaten and all-too-often killed, but it is never the fault of the union to which the worker/s belonged who have been guilty. It's always the other unions' members.

And finally, for all you petrol heads out there, our tame motoring editor Henrie Geyser, who has never been known to put the Cartier before the horse, reckons the new Kia Cerato is a Cartier Korean.

Rod Baker, Content Director

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Weekly top stories

Brand genocide
[Owen Dean] A global war has broken out against smoking and tobacco products, instigated by the World Health Organisation. The war has now entered a new phase with Australia at the forefront. The South African government has indicated that it will soon take up arms and join them. Read more >>
Africa is focus for international law firms
Golden guidelines around fracking
[Lizel Oberholzer and Clarissa Molteno]

Legal
Golden guidelines around fracking
[Lizel Oberholzer and Clarissa Molteno] In drafting regulations governing the controversial process commonly known as fracking, we recommend that the "Golden rules for a golden Age of Gas", published by the International Energy Agency in 2012, be used as a guideline. Read more >>


Commercial Law
Brand genocide
[Owen Dean] A global war has broken out against smoking and tobacco products, instigated by the World Health Organisation. The war has now entered a new phase with Australia at the forefront. The South African government has indicated that it will soon take up arms and join them. Read more >>

MEC puts brakes on liquor licence applications
[Dale Hes] MBOMBELA: Mpumalanga Economic Development, Environment and Tourism MEC Pinky Phosa is putting the brakes on liquor licence applications - approving only less than 10% in the 2012/13 financial year. Read more >>

Growthpoint withdraws Fountainhead offer
Growthpoint Properties announced on Thursday (30 May) that it was withdrawing its offer for Fountainhead Property Trust's assets‚ but said it would refer the JSE's ruling on the matter to the Financial Services Board. Read more >>

PwC's warning over taxation risks
[Evan Pickworth] Business leaders cannot afford to ignore the growing reputational and strategic risks they face as aggressive tax planning moves firmly up the list of priorities of governments and regulators, according to a global tax report by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Read more >>

Court clears FNB of racism charges
The North Gauteng High Court on Tuesday (28 May) rejected all allegations made against First National Bank (FNB) by interest re-calculator Emerald van Zyl. All claims have been dismissed with a punitive costs order made in favour of FNB. Read more >>

Auditors to probe allegations against Vavi
[Natasha Marrian] An audit firm has been appointed to determine whether there was any impropriety over the sale of the Congress of SA Trade Unions building and the purchase of its new headquarters‚ which are among allegations levelled at general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi by his detractors in the federation. Read more >>

Financial Markets Act to come into effect in June
[Amukelani Chauke] A new law meant to regulate financial markets and curb trading misconduct will come into operation from 3 June. Read more >>

Judgment reserved on airport ad
[Jenni Evans] Judgment has been reserved in an application to get the Airports Company SA (Acsa) to reinstate an advertising campaign against the trade in lion bones. Read more >>

Own-label products causing a stir
[Rachel Sikwane] There was a bit of a stir in the British press recently, with certain companies complaining that the major UK supermarket chains are now using get-ups for their own-label products that are so similar to the get-ups used by the major brand owners that consumer confusion is inevitable. Read more >>

Code of conduct for suppliers coming
[Linda Ensor] All suppliers active within the consumer goods and services industry will have to comply with the industry code of conduct and ombudsman scheme, once it is approved by Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies. Read more >>


Criminal Law
Allegedly bogus certificates issued
A training facility in Florida, on the West Rand, which supposedly offers skills development in forklift driving and fire-fighting, among other courses has allegedly been issuing false qualification certificates. Read more >>

Driving licence bribery widespread in SA
Nearly three in five young South Africans with a driver's licence claim to know people who paid bribes to pass their tests, according to a survey released on Wednesday (29 May). Read more >>

NPA takes Breytenbach's ruling to court
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says it will request a court to review the findings of a disciplinary hearing ruling, which was in favour of suspended senior prosecutor, Glynnis Breytenbach. Read more >>

Forensic amendment bill to boost fight against crime
PRETORIA: The introduction of the Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill is the cornerstone of forensic crime fighting, says Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa. Read more >>


Labour Law
Respect workers' rights, unions told
[Gabi Khumalo] Labour Minister, Mildred Oliphant has made an earnest appeal to the leadership of unions to address workers in a peaceful manner and refrain from using violent words when addressing them. Read more >>

Dept to ring-fence fishing quotas for youth
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries intends to ring-fence a certain percentage of fishing quotas for youth-owned companies. Read more >>


Law Practice
Africa is focus for international law firms
Expansion into Africa by the world's biggest law firms gathered steam on Monday (3 June) with the official tie-up between Norton Rose and Fulbright & Jaworski to form Norton Rose Fulbright. Read more >>

Revamp, new tech for Ntuzuma court
PRETORIA: Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Jeff Radebe, on Tuesday, 28 May 2013, launched a new generation court, fitted with state-of-the-art technology incorporating electronic communications, networking and data systems, in Ntuzuma in KwaZulu-Natal. Read more >>


International

Authorities block Tiananmen commemoration
BEIJING, CHINA: Chinese police blocked the gate of a cemetery housing victims of the Tiananmen crackdown on its 24th anniversary on Tuesday (4 June), part of a sweeping annual effort to bar commemorations of the event. Read more >>

US weapons plans downloaded by China
WASHINGTON, USA: US officials and defence firms have concluded that Chinese hackers have breached networks containing designs of many advanced US weapons systems, the Washington Post reported Tuesday (28 May). Read more >>

More International


Government

Awaiting trial inmates filling up SA prisons - Ndebele
[Dennis Cruywagen] Out of a total prison population of 152,514, only 107,471 have been sentenced and are serving time, while 45,043 people or 29.5% are detainees on remand, who are clogging up the system. Read more >>

More Government news


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