valkyrieza | Political rants plus quirkies (Reply)

The Presidency's Development Indicators report for 2008 states that the fruits of economic expansion were not enjoyed by all South Africans. Really, the fact that the difference is more pronounced between social classes should not come as a surprise. COSATU starts moaning again that it was the current President's pro-business policies that did that. I must be so naive, here I was thinking that despite widespread corruption in the government, lack of accountability in that same government and forming a group that benefited from nepotism under the banner of Black Economic Empowerment; South Africa has been doing pretty well and having a decent economic growth. Of course, issues like social grants, development programs that are implemented correctly thus addressing the high unemployment rate and more money spent on the police force to help with the crime were never really addressed as they should have been. Still, South Africa has not been such a bad place. I wonder what would happen if the extreme left elements in the ANC party that support Jacob Zuma (the most valid Presidential Hopeful) have their way. Not a prospect I want to be a witness to whilst being in the same country.

I am not saying corporations should rule, but some people should really stop using them as the only scapegoats. I suppose, they'll actually have to look at themselves properly and no politician, no manner how leftist wants to do that. I am not even going to mention the conservatives.

This amused me greatly:

"Two men were arrested on Thursday and six are on the run after police caught them taking turns in carrying a stolen double bed through East London, police said.

Superintendent Mtati Tana said the group stole the display bed outside a shop in Fleet Street.

"The men were stopped by police for questioning and six immediately ran away, leaving behind the two carrying the bed. It was later discovered that the bed was stolen," said Tana.

The two are expected to appear on Friday before the East London magistrate's court on a charge of theft. - Sapa "

Source: IOL

This was even funnier:

"Canberra - A dry-cleaning shop owner in Papua New Guinea has found a unique way of encouraging thieves to clean up their behaviour: giving them a steam cleaning.

Police in the northeast coastal town of Lae said a 20-year-old man suffered burns and scalding to his abdomen, chest and back after the owner turned a steam cleaner on him after he was caught stealing pants worth 14 kina (about R44; $5,50).

"The owner has done this to many people already," police spokesperson Nema Mondiai told Australian Associated Press on Wednesday.

Police seemed unconcerned about the radical punishment and released the thief after being assured he had learned his lesson. "

The rest of the story can be found here.