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We cannot drive while on “autopilot” while doing other things such as using our cellphones, applying make-up or eating. Our article in Servamus: April 2021 explains why it is dangerous to multi-task while driving.
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Do you agree that having more roadworthy vehicles on our roads will contribute to road safety and less crashes? If you don’t, read our Community Safety Tips in Servamus: April 2021 where we explain why we believe it would.
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By Kotie Geldenhuys
Photos courtesy of Tariro Washinyira; Zoë Postman from GroudUp and a PRASA employee
A lack of employment and job opportunities is often considered to be an important reason for criminal behaviour. Although there was a general decrease in many crime types during the COVID-19 lockdown, infrastructure across the country suffered dearly. Infrastructure vandalism for profit impacts many sectors, including telecommunications, electricity, education and the transport sector. Although it is not a new crime trend, it became more prevalent than before.
Read more: The COVID-19 pandemic did not stop hooligans: Vandalism of infrastructure
By Kotie Geldenhuys
Towards the end of March 2020, the President, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, announced that as of midnight on 26 March 2020, South Africa would go into a "hard lockdown". Various regulations were also issued in terms of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002, which to the shock of millions of South Africans included a ban on all domestic trade in tobacco products. Smokers did how-ever not take kindly to this decision and even though many stocked up for the initial three-week lockdown period and subsequent ban on the sale of tobacco, they were less than impressed with the government when the ban was extended for many more weeks. For many smokers it was simply impossible to stop smoking overnight which is why the illegal cigarette trade in South Africa got an overnight boost. The entire market for cigarettes and other tobacco products went underground almost overnight as formal retailers had to remove their stock and the legal supply chain suffered the consequences.
Read more: Illegal cigarettes – a roaring trade during lockdown 2020
By Annalise Kempen
The current worldwide COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in various lockdown levels across the world, has opened new opportunities for criminals to exploit people - especially in cyberspace. Many people have in the process become more dependent on technology, the Internet and online platforms to work, study, meet, shop and interact with loved ones and family.
Read more: Cybercrime and scams during pandemics
By Kotie Geldenhuys
Families across the world have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic which will likely have a long-lasting impact on public health and our well-being. Traditionally, alcohol abuse, which is already a public health concern in many countries across the world, including South Africa, dramatically increases during pandemics and disasters. According to the US National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), previous disasters, such as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, saw an increase in alcohol abuse as people believed that it helped them to “ease” the stress of the events and anxiety about the future. During the COVID-19 pandemic we have noticed how alcohol abuse has the potential to further complicate an already difficult period (NIAAA, 2020).
Read more: The alcohol ban saved lives, but it came at a cost
Servamus - April 2021
Pollex - April 2021
Letters - April 2021
Servamus' Mission
Servamus is a community-based safety and security magazine for both members of the community as well as safety and security practitioners with the aim of increasing knowledge and sharing information, dedicated to improving their expertise, professionalism and service delivery standards. It promotes sound crime management practices, freedom of speech, education, training, information sharing and a networking platform.
