Child abuse up by nearly 112% with a close on 12% increase in woman abuse in the Western Cape. Frightening statistics. These are the figures at the beginning of the "International Day of No violence against women or children"

The Economist (a London based magazine) published a report called The World in 2005 which is based on the "quality of life" of a 111 countries. Ireland seems to be the place to be with Switzerland coming in second. Strangely enough, the UK got listed in 29th place with most European countries indexed higher than Britain.

The index was compiled using data on health, political stability, gender equality, income, unemployment, job security and climate. Another big factor is clasified as "freedom, family and community life".

With one in four South Africans without a job and Mbekis' early stance about HIV/Aids, South Africa came in at 92nd place. Just better by a fraction than Pakistan. With Zimbabwe last, the other "poor" performers include Haiti and Botswana.

Things are looking up for South Africa though with a steady 3.3% growth in the economy which is still not enough to provide jobs to those who need it. And antiretroviral drugs in the treatment against Aids will take a big chunk of the budget if the South African government wants to make any impact on the epidemic.

Back to one of my pet hates - the traffic authorities. The Sunday Times Metro (12 Nov 04) reported the following statistics :

Tshwane (Pretoria area) is owed R408 million in unpaid fines. Jo'burg stands at R300 million with Ekurhuleni (always struggle to get the spelling right) at R166 million with Mogale City (my area) at R22.6 million. Half of this is needed to upgrade the city electricity but as we know, no-one can (or will) provide proof of what happens to the millions of Rands in paid fines as it is.

R11 million was recovered in a two month sweep on motorists with efforts being intesified this holiday season. Traffic police will now have the advantage of producing a warrant of arrest on the spot with the help of new technology (pretty old in the "normal" world to be honest). What really gets me is the fact that warrants get issued without the offenders knowledge and you will be arrested at a roadblock anywhere, anytime. You can be detained for 48 hours before appearing in court. This issue needs some common sense from officers whom are more liable to violently restrain you than listen to reason.

A friend of mine was the "victim" of this so-called clamp down. A number of patrol vehicles arrived at his company with a warrant of arrest for an outstanding parking ticket of R200! The whole exercise cost them more than that. But if it was a question of "principle", why can't they send out patrol vehicles to a crime scene? Why do we still hear the now familiar excuse that there are no vehicles to assist you after a burglary, a rape or in some cases murder?

Why do we have so many unroadworthy vehicles on our roads? Not to mention reckless drivers and other "moving" violations on our roads? So many questions and no-one qualified to answer them.

I'll leave you with this typical story of mismanagement - the deputy director in the premiers office of the Free Sate was sent home over an alleged misconduct issue. Four years after taking up the post he was suspended in August 2000 after allegedly threatening an official. He was never charged nor asked to appear in front of a disciplinary committee. In the meantime his post was filled by someone else with the Free State government paying two salaries. They offered him R1.3 million as a settlement but they did not have the money and to date this whole issue has cost them a cool R2.6 million without resolve. Eventually the case went to the High Court where the "ex" deputy director won his case. Five days after his final salary payment of R18 thousand he received the R1.3 million on August 26.

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