“…cybercrime has increased by over 300% during the COVID-19 pandemic – making it one of the biggest threats to businesses around the globe.” (Property 24 report) The Cybercrimes Act, which has been years in the making, is now (with effect from 1 December 2021) at last largely in force. Although some provisions still remain on […]
Using the New Cybercrimes Act to Protect Yourself Read More »
“The issue of whether a conveyancing attorney receives the money as the agent of the seller, or of the purchaser, or of both, or as trustee for both to await the event, is a somewhat vexed question … and each case must be considered in the light of its own facts and the particular contractual
Property Transfers and Trust Account Theft: A R720,000 Warning Read More »
“7,000 people have already been arrested for not wearing masks and most of them now have criminal records” (Police Minister Bheki Cele in mid-January) We all know that wearing a face mask is the right and the safe thing to do, but it is also a legal requirement – and it’s one that you really
Arrest and a Criminal Record for Not Wearing a Mask? Read More »
Breaking any of our lockdown laws can be an expensive business, risking heavy penalties. If you are accused of a contravention and offered the option of paying an “admission of guilt” fine to avoid a court appearance, beware! It may seem like the easy way out to pay up and put the whole thing behind
Lockdown “Admission of Guilt” Fines – The Criminal Record Risk Read More »
“The scourge of white collar crime, especially fraud, is currently the order of the day in our country. Fraud is a cancer that is crippling our country from the core and takes away from the poorest of the poor” (extract from judgment below) It is tempting sometimes to think that the high levels of criminal
It Pays to Report Crime! First Offender’s 20 Years in Prison Confirmed for R4.9m Fraud Read More »
“Forewarned is Forearmed!” (Wise old saying) Why yet another warning about cyber-scams in the property industry? It’s because the hard fact is that the criminals are winning this war. In fact we are now reportedly the “second most targeted country in the world with regard to cyber-attacks” (Law Society of South Africa). Hence, no doubt,
“We must not make a scarecrow of the law” (Shakespeare) A criminal record, even for a minor offence from decades back, comes with very serious and lifetime consequences. It will hang around forever, just waiting to ambush you when you apply for a job, or a travel visa, or a firearm licence. So acquiring a
Traffic Fines and Admissions of Guilt – Will They Earn You a Criminal Record? Read More »
“… it is necessary for an unequivocal message to be sent out that corruption on the part of politicians, especially those holding high office, will not be tolerated and that punishment for those who act as Mr Block has done in this case will be severe” (extract from SCA case below) We are all of
Victims of Corruption Take Heart – “Big Chief” Gets 15 Years Behind Bars Read More »
Believing someone to be guilty of a crime you call the police and have the suspect arrested, only to have the charges dropped. Can you be sued for defamation? A recent High Court case provides some answers. A fraudulent iPad order, an arrest and a R1.6m claim A government employee was, at the instigation
Reporting Crime and the Defamation Danger: Lessons from the Workplace Read More »
“… this is a matter of national security and… something of the order of 450,000 gun owners with their expired licences form part of this equation… in a country riddled with crime…” (Extracts from judgment below) Possession of an unlicensed firearm is, for good reason, a serious offence carrying heavy penalties, and law abiding citizens
Firearm Owners: What to Do if Your Licence Has Expired Read More »
