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July 2021
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LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO STOP CRIME
EDITORIAL The Xpanda story began in 1974, when we started manufacturing custom physical barrier systems direct to the end customer. Over the last 4 and half decades, as local and global economies changed, we have seen crime, and criminal modus operandi evolve. Xpanda has continued to be at the forefront of research and development in the physical barrier market since they opened for business. Today, Xpanda is privileged to serve thousands of customers annually, manufacturing a wide range of security products, which include: • • • • • • •
Custom retractable security barriers Custom fixed security barriers (such as burglar guards) Driveway gates and perimeter security Roller shutters for domestic, commercial, and industrial applications Sectional overhead doors Electrical (sub-station) doors DIY range that is available at most South African hardware stores
Whilst Xpanda is famous for its DIY range of security products, our core focus, remains custom made security products for home, commercial and industrial use. All Xpanda customers are serviced through our 3 main offices in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, and through our franchise and extensive national network of Xpanda accredited installers and distributors. With our extensive product range and wide-reaching distribution, Xpanda is one of the most comprehensive manufacturers of barrier security products in South Africa. The Xpanda ethos remains the same today as it was when they opened in 1974, our purpose goes far beyond profit, we believe in a safer South Africa. Xpanda Security, securing homes and businesses, offering real security solutions, to real people, real fast! Visit our website at www.xpanda.co.za or call our us on 0861 XPANDA (0861 972 632)
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Inside
this issue
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How to keep safe during Load Shedding
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Desperate times
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A word to the wise!
Tel: 087 943 2418 Cell: 078 685 3894 Designed by Design Space designspace1983@gmail.com
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DISCLAIMER: The publisher and editor of this magazine give no warranties, guarantees or assurances and make no representations regarding any goods or services advertised within this edition. Copyright July Media. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent from July Media. The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material.
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ADVERTORIAL
How to keep safe during LOAD SHEDDING in SA
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f you have ever had so much work to do and deadlines to meet and then a load shed happened, you can agree that a business can be affected greatly. Even losing customers on top of that. But what can we do in these types of situations? Here we are going to look at some of the things we can do to ensure our business is up and running and we are never under the threat of losing customers during a load shed.
BACK-UP OPTIONS DURING A LOAD SHED 1. BACK-UP GENERATORS Diesel generator sets are a popular type of commercial backup power that turns on when the power goes out. This is a good choice for those power outages that occur in areas that can’t afford to be without electricity, such as hospitals, conference centers, and major retail outlets. However, before relying on a diesel backup generator, the device should be checked with the building’s total load to ensure that it can handle the maximum electricity load. If the gensets are unable to handle the entire load of the house, an “emergency” situation should be checked, in which only the vital systems are backed up. When the power goes out, an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) will be needed to start the diesel generators. Using backup diesel generators, depending on the load size of the house, is likely to be very costly under Eskom’s current load shedding trajectory. Diesel is significantly more costly per kWh than standard Eskom tariffs, and even more so when compared to solar PV costs per kWh. Before setting up generators there is a need to communicate with your technical or electrical team to discuss maintenance issues, diesel (as you’ll need to know the liters that will be needed for it to be running), you also need to look into how many hours your genset will have to run; those things are some of the things you’ll need to look into. 2. SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) SYSTEM Many commercial buildings in South Africa – hospitals, shopping centers, distribution centers, and so on – have grid-connected solar PV systems that provide power from the sun during the day. These relatively simple systems are connected to the grid, but they do not meet the entire energy demand of the offtaker, but rather supplement it. Unfortunately, Page 6
grid-connected solar PV systems do not always avoid load shedding in a house. Since solar produce Direct Current (DC) energy, it must be converted to Alternating Current (AC) before it can be used in buildings. A solar inverter is needed for a solar system to generate usable electricity. Solar inverters, on the other hand, are built to shut down during a power outage. Grid-tied inverters cannot run in off-grid conditions because they are built to meet international safety requirements that require this feature. As a result, when Eskom goes down, so do most solar systems. However, this does not mean there is no as it does not rule out the possibility of load shedding in large buildings with solar PV systems. It is possible to create one’s own “microgrid” by simulating a fake grid-tied scenario to “trick” the solar inverters into staying on. A generator or battery, as well as specialized control equipment, are needed. Two important steps must be taken to retrofit a grid-tied solar system to work during load shedding. To begin, the system must be disconnected from the grid to prevent any power exportation that could jeopardize the safety of maintenance staff. Second, a voltage forming source is needed to provide the solar inverter with a reference voltage and frequency. As a result, the following is needed to prevent a grid-tied solar PV system from going out during a power outage: Hardware that can disconnect the building’s or facility’s key supply from the grid, essentially isolating it from the grid. A diesel generator or battery bank can provide backup power for the entire facility while also providing the solar inverters with the appropriate voltage and frequency reference. To handle the change-over, the dispatching of generators/batteries, and the synchronization of the solar inverters, these two points necessitate diligent engineering and a proper control system. It must also oversee grid resynchronization once the grid is operational again. This is something that can be done and shouldn’t need any human input. Furthermore, the device will need to be properly sized to avoid tripping under different loading scenarios.
Owing to the machine needing to turn itself on and switch to off-grid mode after an unforeseen grid failure, there will be a brief downtime with these two mechanisms in place. However, once turned on, the solarpowered electricity produced can be spread across the structure. It is possible to either disconnect from the grid before an anticipated outage or provide an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) capable of supplying constant, uninterrupted power during an outage to completely prevent an outage. 3. OFF-GRID POWER SUPPLY Another option, which is somewhat much more expensive, the choice is to take a commercial building completely off the grid. When solar PV systems are combined with energy storage, excess solar power generated during the day can be stored and distributed later when required. Solar PV is now one of the most affordable sources of electricity, and its distributed nature makes it ideal for use at the point of use. The cost of batteries and the advanced engineering of microgrid systems, on the other hand, must be weighed against the building’s requirements. Perhaps a commercial or retail building owner is willing to pay a higher price for reliable, clean electricity. (Microgrids are also useful for providing power in weak-grid situations, such as in Cedar Mill Mall, where the grid’s 250 kVA is supplemented with an additional 250 kVA.) If your commercial or industrial building’s diesel generators are used about 30% of the time, the business case for a solar PV and battery integrated microgrid would likely look viable. Power outages last about 7 hours a day in a typical stage 4 load shedding situation. Given that the energy load in the building is constant during the day and those diesel generators are used to provide power when the grid goes down, this will account for about 30% of overall electricity usage, making it a worthwhile investigation. There are options for commercial and industrial buildings in South Africa to avoid the harm that load shedding can do, whether it’s installing a backup generator, installing a solar PV system with a backup generator or battery, or going completely off-grid.
Safe during LOAD SHEDDING
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oad shedding is not pleasant but it is something we have to live with. And having to work from home during load shedding can cause a lot of inconveniences. Small businesses that use electricity may also become victims and may even start losing customers. But what can we do in these types of situations? Here we are going to look at some of the things we can do to ensure that we still enjoy our homes even without electricity and also to make sure that all our electrical equipment is safe. 1. UNPLUG ALL CABLES IN THE HOUSE It is very important to unplug all electrical appliances from the sockets in the house at the moment, there is a power outage. These could be your TV, computer power cables, and any other equipment that may have been in use at the time the power outage occurred. The other option you can consider is having surge protectors; this plays a huge role in ensuring safety to your electrical appliances because when the electricity is restored, your electrical circuits can be subjected to power surges, which may cause harm to your appliances. Surge protectors, which plug directly into your wall socket, are relatively inexpensive and will reduce the risk of damaging expensive equipment due to power surges. 2. ALTERNATIVE POWER This option may be somewhat costly, but if you can afford it, invest in a generator or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to provide you with backup power when you need it most. This helps if you are a business operating at home With a generator, though, keep in mind that you’ll be paying for the initial costs as well as power, so just go ahead and buy one if you’re sure you’ll be able to deal with the fluctuating fuel price in the long run.
3. SOLAR POWERED ENERGY LIGHTS During load shedding at night, you’ll need to use lights. There are some options here You can use rechargeable lights indoors. These switch on automatically when the power goes off. Eurolux produce some fine indoor rechargeable lights. These will give sufficient lighting for your house and make criminals aware that there is someone at home. For the outdoors you can replace your outdoor lights with energy saving solar-powered globes. These will, also switch on when the power goes off lighting up the exterior your home There is also the option of converting your home to solar power and keeping the light on that way. Just a warning though solar power is initially expensive but over time it will pay for itself over and over again.
afterhours emergency, you can get gas from most petrol stations. FOLLOW CHANGES AND UPDATES ON THE LOAD SHEDDING SCHEDULE Checking your load shedding updates on reliable sources is very important. Current load shedding follows reasonably consistent plans, so you can plan. Keep your schedule close at hand, whether written or on your mobile device, whether you’re supplied by the City of Cape Town or Eskom. And, since the status of national and local load shedding can change at any time, stay informed by connecting to the appropriate information sources. Having said that, since load shedding schedules are available to the public, criminals can see blackouts as an opportunity to commit crimes. When entering or leaving the house, extra caution is necessary. If you happen to be working from home or have assignments, work out a plan that will help you go about your work and assignment to avoid missing deadlines.
Emergency LED Solar Wall Light (O623) Available in Black & White
FOOD PREPARATION/HEATING One of the things that keep us going throughout the whole day is food and for those who have little children they will need to eat; how can you handle them since load shedding slots shift daily. It might be wise to invest in a gas stove. Gas is a very efficient way of cooking and a basic cooker is relatively inexpensive and the gas its self lasts a few months. The refills are always available from gas suppliers and hardware stores and in an
4. HAVE BACK-UP BATTERIES FOR ALARM SYSTEMS Make sure your alarm systems are in working order and that you have backup batteries in case of a power outage. Power packs and batteries wear out faster as a result of load shedding, resulting in decreased functionality. During load sheds, alarm systems can also generate false alarms and panic signals, so units should be tested regularly. Be as prepared as you can to have a backup torch or headlamp on hand. This is for those times you are working late or maybe you were traveling and you have arrived home late. Having a torch in the car is something that should not be overlooked.
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ANPR is the acronym for Automatic Number Plate Recognition Technology is as extraordinary and versatile as the people it takes to create it. Our ANPR software has been created with the express intention of creating safer spaces for people in South Africa. We are proud that SNIPR camera systems are some of the most powerful in the country. We offer a whole new way of fighting crime…Before it happens. Linked into Law enforcement database of stolen and suspicious vehicles, we are constantly grooming this as cars move through your precinct. First responders are able make use of the SNIPR Dashboard (Web interface) and Mobile Patrol (Mobile App) in order to manage and view the data coming into your precinct, as well as produce real-time reporting on all recorded transactions. Empowering security providers through operational power.
OUR PROCESS CAN BE BROKEN DOWN INTO 3 EASY STEPS 1. Camera You Install SNIPR License Plate recognition software onto your Surveillance Cameras. Every Vehicle passing our SNIPR Powered cameras is photographed, analysed and decrypted to establish suspicious vehicles. All transactions are recorded 2. Lights The entire process from alerting to flagging vehicles takes seconds. An alarm is raised where suspicious vehicles are entering a precinct, and this is escalated to our control room, and yours. 3. Action The necessary authorities are alerted into action - Security teams or law enforcement can confront flagged vehicles as they enter the premises. We are watching out for you. All day. Every Day. We know that in order for good tech deliver on its promises, we need hands and feet on the ground who are invested to take action. This is why we work with your community. We succeed in partnership with you. We are not just here about license plate recognition. We care about community. Ultimately, it is about you… *The SNIPR system can be used with different cameras and surveillance systems, is easily integrated with access control management systems , and provide step by step instructions for processes to be followed in these circumstances.
Contact us: (031) 035 0941 Page 8
FOCUS FENCING DURBAN We provide a wide range of fencing in the area of residential, commercial and industrial fencing. The reliability of our work performance and the quality of our fencing projects is attested in the work completed for our clients.
DO YOU NEED A FENCING CONTRACTOR IN DURBAN? We offer creative solutions & ideas in order to best service each client with regards to cost, quality, and function.
CONTACT US
OFFICE ELVIN 082 487 4105 Unit 7A, Dura Park, 90 Escom Road, ARON 078 670 0865 New Germany Email: info@focusfencing.co.za www.focusfencing.co.za Page 9
THE EFFECTS ON CRIME ON SOUTH AFRICAN ECONOMY AND HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM
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ver the past number of years, South Africa has been struggling with the rising levels of crime. This has spiralled out of control. Violence has become a way of life in South Africa and it is an issue that is commonly faced by all citizens, regardless of what their economic status is. The South African newspapers are always full of reports related to violent crimes. These reports mention incidents of violence in the suburbs as well as in the upscale neighborhoods of the country. The law enforcements have tried to find the cause of escalating violence in South Africa, but until today, no particular root cause has been put down. In this article we will take a look at the effects of crime on South African economy and how to solve the problem. HOW CRIME AFFECTS SOUTH AFRICA? South Africa has been ranked as the tenth most unsafe place in the world, according to the Global Peace Index. The Index also states that violent crimes consume as much as 20% of the country’s GDP, meaning the South African government spends about R1050 billion per annum to contain violence. South Africa are the leaders in many categories such as easy access to weapons, number of murders and rising number of violent protests. THE ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF CRIME High crime rates ensures the wastage of money from an economic point of view. Below we have listed the most obvious costs of crime. 1. COST OF RUNNING PRISONS Having high rates of crime, also means South Africa have a lot of people who are in prison. This only means more costs for the government. An incarcerated person is not productive but needs to be taken care of. The South African government spends about R120 billion on incarcerations every year. But still, spending so much money has not helped, instead in has created more problems than it solves. The South African system handles 30% more prisoners that it is supposed to, this leads to overcrowding which leads to more problems such as violence and spreading of diseases among criminals. The healthcare cost further ads to the expenses. 2. COST OF LAW ENFORCEMENT A high rate of crime also means South Africa needs a bigger Police force in order to maintain law and order, more courts; judges have to be created to deal with the cases. Hiring all these civil servants is costly with the result that the government has to spend more money, money that they have committed elsewhere. The raiding of the fiscus by the previous president and his cronies, coupled with the Covid issues the country faces have limited the cash the government have to spend on. This should not be an excuse for non action. 3. LOSS OF BUSINESS Investors from other countries are afraid of the crimes happening in South Africa; as a result, they cannot invest in a country where they don’t feel safe. Unlike other countries, South Africa will not develop further but will continue spending more money on criminals. Violence is dragging down the entire economy and will lead to more economic problems. HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM? There is a saying a fish rots from the head down. The South African government needs to be more proactive with crime prevention. They hold to a theory that poverty and unemployment causes crime. That may be true and if it is then there needs to be a training program for the unemployed, coupled with a fair and just “dole” system that encourages them to train and seek work. The laws of the land need to be harsher when it comes to handling criminals so that prison acts as a deterrent for the criminals. Criminals shouldn’t have access to weapons and this will help reduce the crime rates.
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DESPERATE TIMES... W e have never lived through a time such as this where fear and the unknown go hand in hand as we try to stay ahead of the pandemic. So many are unemployed or have had their earnings curtailed by loss of business. Those with money are holding onto it like they want to take it with them when they die. There are too many people now with too much time on their hands and too much time in which to consider alternative ways of making money. The age-old adage applies. If it seems to goods to be true, it usually is. Greed rules and desperate people are easy pickings. Recently, a man invested R30 000 in a business involving the buying and selling of diamonds. Now unless you have shares in De Beers, this is always likely to be dealings one should steer clear of. Within 30 days the man got his R30 000 back plus R5 000 in “interest”. Great return or the end of the beginning?
to be found. The mobile numbers that they were using are no longer in operation, neither are their gmail email addresses. The face of the criminal has changed. Years ago, we could spot a criminal from afar but today you can sit across the table from a criminal at dinner. Desperate times have changed the thinking of otherwise law-abiding people and conmen have birthed since COVID in their droves. One should be extra vigilant at this time and remember, never to loan or invest more than you can afford to lose. Kind care BE Safe. BE Healthy Brad
Excited by the fabulous ROI the man gathered together all that he could gather which amounted to R300 000. This was some eight months ago and no surprise, the diamond dealers are now nowhere
Brad Nathanson Investigations www.bradnathanson.co.za Follow us on Facebook for all our latest crime news and updates: https://www.facebook.com/BradNathansonPI/ Page 12
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A WORD TO THE WISE Written by Dave Sykes - Burcor Forensic Services | +27 83 357 8148
SCAMS In today’s tough economic times, many people out there are trying to make “a quick buck” and the easiest place to make “a quick buck” is off the generosity or naivety of others. Many of us have received that email, claiming we have won a completion … that we didn’t even enter or from some foreign government official claiming they need help to move funds offshore. Most of those types of scams are easy to spot and ignore. It gets more difficult when you are searching for a particular product or item to purchase and then you stumble onto that proverbial deal that is “too good to pass up”. The deal is so good that it causes you to overlook red flags that are clear to see. SO WHAT IS A SCAM? Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines a scam as… “a fraudulent or deceptive act or operation”. So a scam is just an act or operation (many actions) that is designed to defraud another person. Where a plan was a hatched and placed in motion… through either physical actions, the production of documents or the telling of a story… but where in all instances the objective is to take property or money or attempt to take property or money, away from somebody else or the rightful owner. COMMON DAY PROBLEM AREAS The 3 most common places or instances where “scams” or Fraud is likely to happen are… Online buying and selling … Bogus charities or charitable causes and lastly… Offers too good to be true, as previously mentioned. Online buying and selling; in the age of the internet, never before has it been so easy to buy or sell goods. This is a good thing but can also lead to disappointment. So if you do decide to engage in online commerce be very aware of dangers. Most big stores have an online presence so I’m not referring to those. I’m referring to the private buying and selling of items and where the value or money involved is substantial to you (we all have different value systems so what is substantial to one may not be substantial to another). Bogus Charities or charitable causes; human nature is such that when we see people in need, we want to help out wherever we can but that trait is also exploited by fraudsters. There are many examples of bogus or fraudulent Charities asking the public to donate money towards causes or programmes that don’t exist. Or where people approach you directly with a sad and tragic story and ask for donations. The too good to pass up deal; where you happen to come across advertising or are approached about a “deal” that will save you hundreds if not thousands of Rands. Or where adverts pop up in your social media feeds offering you products or services at much discounted rates. Page 14
SOME HELPFUL TIPS Make sure the person you are dealing with has the authority to sell or buy that item and that they actually have an item for sale. If selling an item make sure your own bank confirms receipt of the funds before releasing the item. Never rely on email proof of payments or text messages from the buyer, all of these can be manipulated. If buying, then ask to meet and inspect the item to make sure it is what you had in mind, once satisfied then make the transfer… never arrive with large amounts of cash to inspect the goods. Don’t be pressured into making a payment or release the goods without being completely satisfied. Any reasonable, legitimate seller or buyer shouldn’t have a problem with this… if they do… be very aware. Always insist on some type of sales receipt. This doesn’t have to be formal, just a simple hand written or typed note that contains the relevant information of all parties and which has place for all parties to sign in agreement of the transaction. All charities should be registered, so ask for those documents and verify them before making any donations. Anyone approaching you directly for donations should be directed towards a local registered charity that can provide the necessary assistance, then make a donation to that charity. A deal that sounds too good to be true … is normally too good to be true. Everyone likes a “good deal” or “special offer” but slow down and make a rational decision … don’t be rushed to make a decision on the spot. If the deal is legitimate, the salesperson will allow you time to make your own decision. Always, always apply good common sense when contemplating any of these types of transactions. And where you feel “uneasy” about anything, reach out to a trusted friend or family member for advice. WHAT TO DO WHEN THINGS GO WRONG? If you entered into some type of transaction… no matter the monetary value involved… and you were “scammed” or defrauded always report the matter to the South African Police Service. You may have some vital information that could help the police make an arrest or when an arrest is made later, your case could be added to the criminal charges that will be brought against the perpetrator. The reporting will help the police identify criminal trends and so may lead to extra resources being allocated should the trend require it. Also report the matter to your bank, and ask that any payments be stopped or at least funds frozen pending the police investigation. All commercial transactions require trust, the trust however must be evident from both parties so if you feel that you are being asked to trust “more” than the other party, this is a clear red flag and should warn you to proceed with the utmost caution.
Adriya Sports and Fencing services South Africa with all types of fencing, sports field construction and Construction of Conventional and Alternative Building Technologies.
OUR SERVICES INCLUDE
We are one of the largest fencing companies with the power to offer the keenest rates and the best response and turn-around times. ✔ CLEAR VIEW & STEEL PALISADE Fabrication and installation of Clear View & Steel Palisade Fences, gates, automation and access controls, and purpose-made steel products
✔ SPORTS-FIELDS CONSTRUCTION Construction, Tennis courts, Combination Courts, Cricket Pitches and Practice Nets, Stadium style seating and goal posts
✔ ELECTRIC FENCING & AUTOMATION Installation of non-lethal electric fences, gate automation and access control
✔ WIRE FENCING The supply and erection of wire fencing, Site Hoarding, temporary fences and razor wire
✔ DOMESTIC SPORTS ARENAS Batting cages, Cricket Nets and Tennis Courts and Artificial Turf Multi-Purpose Sports Arenas
✔ BUILDING Conventional Building, Alternative Building Technologies (ABT)
Adriya Sports & Fencing cc 031 564 6336 www.adriya.co.za • info@adriya.co.za Page 15
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