Wherever business try to survive, government seems to get in the way. Further to last weeks story on pharmacies, government is now passing a new law prohibiting the surcharge (handling fee, admin charge, whatever) that pharmacies charge for dispensing prescription drugs.

And the Boks got a beating. So much for playing the ref as well as a very competent side. A try was scored after the ref told the Springbok captain to "talk to" his men. The penalty was taken whilst the captain tried to get his men together and a try was the result. Fair? That was not - and it's not sour grapes. We could've done better.

Typical this time of year everybody is watching the press in anticipation looking for affirmation of how city and state officials are ripping us off. The Sunday Times did not disappoint.

R7 billion is owed to Jo'burg by defaulting ratepayers. The city debtors book is rising by R800 million a year and the call center received 20 000 account queries last month. Yet the council is paying nearly half a million Rand in bonuses to it's top four managers.

The city manager earns nearly a million bucks a year and is smiling this December with a further R62 800 in his pocket. Corporate services director Reuben Denge earns close on R800 thousand a year and will get a R155 300 bonus. The city finance director will add R122 thousand to his already R917 937 per annum income. Amanda Nair, director of transport affairs will add slightly less to her remuneration of R104 thousand on top of her R782 694 a year salary.

Ekurhuleni (which includes Alberton / Germiston areas) city manager earns R905 929 a year with it's executive directors (all 12 of them) earning between R567 000 and R652 000 a year. The Tshwane city manager takes home R916 728, up from R830 000 three years ago.

Bonuses are determined by a panel of five experts which includes a Professor, two commissioners, a finance expert and a former public service manager. Wait for it.., all handpicked by the mayor. This happens by scoring targets reached by the individuals as stipulated by their contracts.

The billing system is still in a major mess but that did not stop "them" from giving Mr Hunter his R122 000 bonus. Democracy at it's best - in order to attract highly qualified people, the councils have to pay what they "think" (it seems) these managers are worth.

And of course the 138 ANC councilors will easily "outvote" the 60 opposition members if the issue comes to that.

Zuma just can't seem to "Shaik" his image as a spendthrift. With the case against Shaiks company (the arms deal debacle) Absa (probably the largest South African bank) revealed that Zuma was given an account due to the fact that he is the deputy President. This in spite of his bad financial track record. Absa has some major government contracts which they could not jeopardize by turning Zumas application down. The did however manage the account properly by "downsizing" credit facilities where and when Zuma defaulted.

In a desperate final attempt to curb drunken driving on South African roads, the police have now shown that they're serious by confiscating a third offenders' car last weekend. This guy just bought the car two days before. Driving over the limit, and getting caught for the third time was a big mistake. He (unwillingly) donated his car to the police whilst still being responsible for paying back the finance house whatever is outstanding on the car. Serves him right and with rumors that the Scorpions will get involved with road traffic over the festive season, I can see government setting up a couple of bargain second hand car lots in January.

Moral of the story - want to enjoy more than two beers, stay at home. Or rent a car for the evening, or use a friends' wreck!

Past Views

Current Joke

Past jokes

Current Exchange Rate

Daily News Headlines