Has Corporate SA Been Infected by ANC Corruption, Greed & Negligence? Dimension Data NTT Case Study

The Untouchables in a Gangster's Paradise? Is it reasonable or ethical to make use of companies that do not consider themselves to be held accountable, for their actions in any private or public enterprise? While Big Tech like Facebook, Twitter, Google, Youtube and Instagram has become seemingly untouchable, even from the US Supreme Court or Whitehouse, the same culture of supremacy, greed, lack of accountability, lack of transparency, and lack of responsibility seems to have created and sustained an environment in South Africa where IT negligence is acceptable, and lack of accountability is the norm, even when it comes to government institutions, contracts and tenders. Just a few of the institutions in South Africa that have had their systems breached just over the last few weeks include: Transnet, Department of Justice, SA Space Agency, African Bank to name but a few, so the situation in South Africa has really gotten serious, yet no one is talking about it, especially not…
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Did Tobacco Giant BAT Give Mugabe Up to $500,000 to Release Their Private Spies in 2012? – Leaked Documents

According to documents seen by the BBC program 'Panorama', British American Tobacco's (BAT) private spies were caught spying on Savanna Tobacco's factory, in Zimbabwe in 2012. After paying for talks with high-ranking Zanu PF members, about a donation of up to half a million dollars, the 3 spies were released. BAT is the manufacturer of Lucky Strike cigarettes and is one of the largest companies in the UK, where the multinational tobacco monopoly is headquartered in London. (more…)
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Why Some British expatriates are struggling to get their passport renewals processed

Though the British government originally stated that the closure of regional passport processing centres around the world wouldn’t affect the processing of passport applications and renewals it seems that this is not the case. Passport renewals used to take around 4 weeks but with the move of processing back to Liverpool, England the recommended processing timescale was extended to 6 weeks. However reports are coming in from around the world with many expatriates being completely frustrated both by the lack of communication throughout the process and also the length of time that processing is taking. The online tracking system and call centres provided seem to not accurately reflect the status of applications being processed. Expatriates living in Hong Kong and Russia have reported that it’s now taking up to 3 months for them to get their passports renewed with apparently hundreds of expatriates affected in Hong Kong alone. This is forcing some expats to face issues with visa…
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A New Brexit report set to benefit South Africans looking to work in the UK

It looks like the reduction of EU workers in the country after Brexit will account for more opportunities for non-EU workers. The nuts and bolts of Brexit are certainly a concern for many British residents, but a new government advisory could mean that South Africans are able to benefit from the UK’s messy divorce with the EU. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) advises the UK Home Office on immigration issues. They recommend that free movement of citizens from the European Union should come to an end once Brexit is finalised. It’s vital to understand that EU citizens living in the UK pre-Brexit would already have been able to apply for temporary or Indefinite Leave to Remain under the EU settlement scheme. Much to their relief, they will not be subject to the possible ending of free movement. Free signup to our Expat Match ...just click ex-patriates.com now !! Brexit: How these changes affect South African emigres But going forward, EU workers will be treated like …
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Moving to the UK: The Unmarried Partner Visa – all you need to know

Many people assume that there is a separate type of visa application for the unmarried partner. However, this is not the case. If one fulfils the criteria to be an ‘unmarried partner,’ one would apply in the same way as the spouse or dependent of the main UK visa applicant. One can thus be the unmarried partner of an Ancestral visa applicant, a Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa applicant, the unmarried partner of a British citizen, Tier 4 Student visa applicant, etc. The conditions and requirements of the visa of the unmarried partner would thus basically be determined by the immigration status or type of visa the main applicant is applying for. The unmarried partner thus has the same status as the spouse or civil partner of the main visa applicant. How to qualify as an unmarried partner To qualify as an unmarried partner, an applicant will need to prove that he/she has been living together with the partner, in a relationship akin to marriage for two years or more. You will also ne…
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Are you eligible for a British passport?

Fast facts about British nationality for South Africans - You could be eligible for British passport if you were: Born to a parent (father or mother) who was born in the UK before 1983. Born before 1983 to a parent who was born after 1949 – as long as that parent Was a British citizen, or Had a parent born in the UK Born in South Africa after 31 May 1962 but before 1983, and you have a UK-born grandparent Born after 1948, and your parents were married before 1949 and your paternal grandfather (your father’s father) was born in the UK Born between 2 March 1970 and 18 April 1980 in (Southern) Rhodesia, and you have a grandfather born in the UK.
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South Africans and the National Insurance Number

South Africans who are relocating to the United Kingdom sometimes get strangled in the paperwork and red-tape involved with their relocation. One of the topics on which the consultants at Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants often get questions is the National Insurance Number. We have compiled a short article for South Africans relocating to the UK, on the issue of the National Insurance number. The National Insurance Number The National Insurance (NI) number is unique for every person. You will keep your NI number for life, and the number will only be used for one person. It consists of numbers and letters and is allocated by the Department for Works and Pensions. The NI number is used by the HM Revenue & Customs and the Department for Works and Pensions to identify persons. The number also ensures that NI and tax contributions are recorded against the record of the correct person and that the correct amount of tax and NI are paid by every person. The National Insur…
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Oxford, Stratford and Warwick Castle Guided Tour by Minibus from London: Be part of Britain’s greatest medieval experience

Take a walking tour of Oxford and drive through the Cotswolds. Explore Shakespeare’s birthplace and enjoy some time to explore Stratford-Upon-Avon. Have an extended visit of Warwick Castle and savor a traditional lunch (own expense). Book Now Highlights Free hotel pickup and drop-off included Small group ensures personal service Family friendly Oxford is famous for being home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world – countless bright young things have wandered the town’s cobbled streets over the years! During your guided walking tour you will see the stunning Bodleian Library and furtively discover unspoilt narrow alleyways, ancient squares and towering spires. Enjoy views of the breathtaking countryside, sleepy villages, and bustling market towns as you drive through the charming scenery of one of England's most beautiful regions- The Cotswolds. A unique market town, Stratford–upon–Avon is the famous home of William Shakespeare, arguably the world'…
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Weekend travel information for London

Northern line All weekend and on Monday there will be no service between Hampstead and Edgware, while we replace track at Colindale. From approximately 01:15 until 06:00 on Saturday and 01:15 until 07:40 on Sunday, there will be no service between Camden Town and Edgware. London Overground Tonight, Thursday, there will be no service between Hackney Downs and Chingford after 22:30. This is for Network Rail track work. All weekend, and on Monday, there will be no service between the following stations: • Willesden Junction and Shepherd’s Bush, due to Network Rail infrastructure work • Romford and Upminster, due to Crossrail construction work and Network Rail infrastructure work On Sunday and Monday, there will be no service between Camden Road and Stratford, due to bridge replacement work at Highbury Corner and Network Rail station work at Hackney Wick. On Sunday there will be no service between Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction due to Network Rail inf…
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UK Driving Licence Changes 8 June 2015

What has changed? The rules have changed for people who hold a UK driving licence. As of June 8th 2015, details of any endorsements / penalty points are now kept online – and not on your driving licence or paper counterpart. So when you hire a car, you will need to visit the DVLA* website before you pick your car up, in case the counter staff need to see this information. The website will give you a ‘licence check code’, which is only valid for 72 hours. * The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is the government department that issues driving licences in Great Britain and keeps track of drivers’ endorsements and disqualifications. Does this affect me? This affects you if you’re planning to drive a hire car and your driving licence (whether paper or photocard) was issued in England, Wales or Scotland. If you have a photocard licence, you shouldn’t need your paper counterpart ever again. However, some car hire companies might take time to get used to the new …
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