Push 'send' and commit a crime

President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Cybercrimes Act into law this month, making it illegal to send certain types of WhatsApp messages or texts on social media and other online platforms in South Africa. The Act establishes three types of potentially harmful messages that have been criminalised: those that incite damage to property or violence; those that threaten people with damage to property or violence; and those that unlawfully contain an intimate image.

Noteworthy news in numbers

Supporting our youth

Safire promotes our country's youth in several ways, including its scholarship programme that assists promising pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as our Learner and Internship programmes that enable young people to gain hands-on workplace skills, with the Learners completing the FETC in Short Term Insurance NQF L4. This year's group of Learners is seen here (left to right): Samkelo Khumalo, Brogan Van Der Byl, Zethembiso Mbanjwa, Nosipho Shabalala, Lerato Xaba, Keshav Thejraj. Safire is also a proud supporter of Yes4Youth, a business-led collaboration that assists unemployed youth in South Africa.

Valuation of your jewellery

It is important to have your jewellery and quality watches valued regularly (annually is best) to ensure that they are accurately covered. Being under-insured is a risk no one should take! An up-to-date valuation certificate provides a full description of the item(s) and the insurance value at the time, to prove its worth should you need to submit a claim so that your insurer can compensate you accurately. It's understandable that jewellery made of gold and other precious materials is valuable, but what makes one watch worth more than another timepiece?

Visionary ideas from youthful inventors

Young minds are constantly finding ways to improve our world with an incredible diversity of ideas. Their concepts include a simple device that lures and traps mosquitoes (seen here with its inventor), chicken-less eggs, seating 'islands' on public transport for enhanced social distancing, and a sensor that can detect lead in water and upload results from the water sample to an app.

Are you buying a stolen vehicle?

Over half of the vehicles that are stolen and hijacked in South Africa are sold back into the local market, with criminals often disguising these vehicles by cloning identifying details from similar legal models. Unwitting buyers could have their vehicles impounded or their insurance claims rejected because they have unknowingly purchased a stolen vehicle. Before you lose not only your car but also the money you paid for it, the AA recommends taking certain steps to ensure that both the sale and the vehicle are legitimate.

The threat of "zombie fires"

"Zombie fires" are wildfires that appear to be doused but are smouldering underground, only to flare up again many weeks, even months, later. With climate change, experts believe these once freak fires could become more common...

The Insurer newsletter and the content of any article published herein, should not be construed as forming part of any insurance contract or policy nor as constituting any form of advice. It is aimed at providing an informal and informative read to the readers thereof. Whilst every effort is taken to attempt to ensure the accuracy and correctness of the information contained herein, Safire Insurance Company Limited does not give any assurance regarding such accuracy or correctness and accordingly does not accept any liability whatsoever for any loss or damage, whether direct, indirect or consequential, arising from any reliance placed in the information contained herein.