Nigeria is suspending dealings with Siemens, following allegations that the company paid 10 million euros in bribes.
Now, anywhere else in the world, this would not have been funny. But, come on! Nigeria concerned about bribes? The irony!
I mean, has anyone actually done business in Nigeria without paying bribes? Being cynical, I immediately thought that perhaps Siemens didn`t bribe the right people/didn`t pay enough/left someone important off the list.
But there seems to be more to this story. See, the thing stem from a German court slapping Siemens with a 201 million-euro fine for bribes paid to a Nigerian, Russian and Libyan.
In light of that, Nigeria probably felt compelled to act, and it turned out that five of its former ministers and senior officials were involved.
Nigeria has now revoked its last contract with Siemens - a $1.08 million deal to supply circuit breakers and power generation accessories.
Damn those Germans!
Hand in the cookie jar?
Fantastic! More speed traps for 2010. All our problems are solved!
Martin Czernowalow, news editor, ITWeb
In a stroke of brilliance, the auditor-general (AG) gave Bridget Mohlala the boot, after a 10-month stint - during which she managed to indulge in some financial misconduct.
This is the same Mohlala who was the Independent Communications Authority of SA`s (ICASA`s) CFO and who resigned from the regulator amid allegations that she stole R110 000 from its safe.
Now, I have to ask: How stupid must you be? The AG hired Mohlala with the ICASA theft cloud hanging over her head. Many were rather surprised by the move, and I can`t think why. At the time, the AG stated that nothing had been proven and that everyone must be given a chance and some or other government bureaucratic crap.
Ironically, not long after joining the AG, Mohlala was promptly suspended, then fired. So, "I told you so", would probably be rather apt here.
The senior prosecutor in charge of the ICASA case said in February that there was insufficient evidence to charge her. ICASA`s 2005/6 financial report indicates the R110 000 was written off as a loss.
I`m just curious to see how much this little episode of brain-fade is going to cost the AG. By the way, I believe Mohlala is looking for another job. Anyone need a new CFO?
Always travel with cash
Gauteng says it is "vigorously" pursuing the implementation of an integrated safety and security system as one of a number of intelligent transport systems being rolled out in the province.
This sounds great; I`m just a bit worried that the provincial government`s master plan is again nothing more than an intensification of speed monitoring. After all, what else are the traffic cops good for?
But, says finance MEC Paul Mashatile, the project is "part of the preparations for hosting the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup". Naturally, what isn`t part of SA`s World Cup obsession?
Fantastic! More speed traps for 2010. All our problems are solved!
Again, while claiming that the system is the next best thing since sliced bread, a spokesman for Gauteng`s transport, roads and works department declined to say what the system consists of, or how it functions, saying that might compromise security. Off course, a bit of secrecy is always good.
Besides, to say that a couple more speed traps are being set up kind of takes the romance out of the genius plan.
Here`s some advice: if you`re going to travel during the festive season, always carry cash. You never know when you may run into of one Gauteng`s "vigorous and integrated" law-enforcers, on a mission to improve safety and security - from behind a tree.
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