Weekly Highlights -19 November 2021

Weekly Highlights 19 November 2021 - Issue No. 115 In this issue Dear Colleagues PUTTING THE SPOTLIGHT ON OUR COLLEAGUES IN FID International Fraud Awareness Week encourages business leaders and employees to proactively take RAF VALUES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS steps to minimise the impact of fraud by promoting anti-fraud awareness and education. Fraud awareness WORLD DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR ROAD TRAFFIC is critical at a time when organisations around the world VICTIMS lose revenues and reputations due to fraud. RAF ACTIVATIONS - ROAD SAFETY AWARENESS International Fraud Awareness Week affords us the opportunity to remind ourselves about fraud prevention THE DOS AND DON’TS FOR EMPLOYEES WORKING systems that are in place within the RAF. Furthermore, REMOTELY it facilitates discussions amongst ourselves as THE POWER OF PATIENCE colleagues to ensure that we all adhere to RAF processes, procedures and policies in the execution INTERNATIONAL MEN’S DAY of our duties. Our core ICARE Values, particularly Integrity and Accountability, call on all of us to act in an SAFETY MEASURES EVEN AFTER GETTING COVID-19 ethical and transparent manner. As RAF employees, VACCINE we therefore have a collective responsibility to do more to safeguard our organisation against fraud and COVID-19 STATISTICS corruption. We must report any incidents of alleged or suspected fraud. THE FUN PAGE The Forensic Investigation Department (FID) further Letters to the Editor reminds RAFzins that it has an open-door policy to receive all direct reports of fraud, theft, corruption, We invite our readers to share their and any other illegal activities. Reports can be made comments, feedback, and suggestions through any of the following mechanisms: urgently with us. Readers are encouraged to submit reporting to your immediate supervisor; reporting to their letters, of no more than 200 words, to the FID via the FID Referral Form; sending an email to [email protected] and TholakeleR@raf. [email protected]; or reporting anonymously through the co.za. We are looking forward to hearing from Ethics Line: 0800 11 12 24 . you. Enjoy this week’s Highlights! Editor: Thabang Mahlatsi ([email protected]) Sub-editor: Tholakele Radebe ([email protected]) Kind regards Reporter: Tintswalo Nkuna ([email protected]) Editor-In-Chief: Anton Janse van Rensburg ([email protected]) Internal Communication

PUTTING THE SPOTLIGHT ON OUR COLLEAGUES IN FID by Forensic Investigation Department As part of International Fraud Awareness Week, the 2. What do you like about your job? FID team has been busy with activities that seek to raise awareness of fraud and corruption in the The fact that there is almost always something new. organisation while encouraging RAFzins to act against them. 3. What is the one misconception that people have about your job? As we close this year’s International Fraud Awareness Week, we have decided to dedicate this section of the That investigations are like TV stories; they are conclud- Highlights to shining the spotlight on some of the man- ed in 45 minutes minus the ad breaks. Sometimes even agers in FID who work tirelessly to eradicate fraud and simple investigations take a long time because you are corruption in the RAF. In addition to understanding the dependent on the availability of a witness. various roles they perform in their positions, we also get to know some of their interests. 4. If you were a superhero for a day, what powers would you like to have and why? To turn invisible. I can then listen in to what attorneys and other stakeholders say to one another when they are in a private place. (Or to be able to turn rock into gold for obvious reasons.) 5. Which of the ICARE Values do you resonate with and why? Accountability, because it is the lack of accountability that brought the RAF to the precarious position it finds itself in. 6. What is the one thing that your colleagues might not know about you (i.e., any hidden talents outside of your work)? I practise aikido in which I hold a black belt. 7. Please share a final message with staff regarding corruption and fraud in the workplace Name: Marius Werner, “A clear conscience is the softest pillow.” – old Chinese Position: Senior Manager: FID,Eco Glades proverb Length of Service at RAF: 20 Years 1. Please tell us briefly about your job – what is your typical day like?   I start with attending to e-mails received during the previ- ous night, after which I ensure that everybody is aware of all the deadlines due for that day. Thereafter, there are meetings, either physical or through Microsoft Teams. During the course of the day new matters may come in to be dealt with. I end the day by finishing off outstand- ing e-mails received during the day and perusing reports received either for finalisation or endorsement. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Continues to Next Page 2

PUTTING THE SPOTLIGHT ON OUR COLLEAGUES IN FID (CONT.) That the FID is biased towards certain allegations and thus unfairly selects cases for investigation. Also, that the FID does not take actions against its own members for unethical conduct and that they do not account to anyone but themselves. 4. If you were a superhero for a day, what powers would you like to have and why? I would ensure that employees adhere to their delegated powers and treat claimants as their primary stakeholders or clients, thereby rendering the much-needed service to carry out the mandate of the RAF. 5. Which of the ICARE Values do you resonate with and why? Name: Paul Modipa, Integrity – doing the right thing even when nobody is Position: General Manager: FID,Eco watching. I strive to be an honest, trustworthy, and re- spectful employee who adheres to good ethical princi- Glades ples. Length of Service at RAF: 07 Years 6. What is the one thing that your colleagues might 1. Please tell us briefly about your job – what is your not know about you (i.e., any hidden talents outside typical day like? of your work)?   I manage the FID (82 employees) which consists of the I am an activist for underprivileged communities through External Investigation Section responsible for claims my church and will be registering a family foundation to fraud and corruption and the Corporate Investigations achieve this on a broader scale. Section which is responsible for investigation of internal allegations against RAF employees and service provid- 7. Please share a final message with staff regarding ers. The day starts off by communicating with internal corruption and fraud in the workplace and external stakeholders through emails, calls and Mi- crosoft Teams meetings. I also submit reports and other Fraud and corruption deprive our claimants of their due documents to the Executive in charge of the division. payouts. Employees are therefore encouraged to report any allegations of fraud and corruption to the FID for fur- 2. What do you like about your job? ther investigations. First, it forms part of Governance, Risk and Compli- ance and contributes to managing the risk of fraud and corruption which is key to protecting the assets of the RAF, something I’m passionate about. Second, referring criminal evidence to the SAPS which leads to a success- ful prosecution makes me happy because justice gets served that way. Third, it involves repudiating claims for underserving claimants since deserving claimants need these funds. Lastly, successfully initiating cases against RAF employees ensures that we are held accountable for our actions and that unethical conduct is not tolerat- ed. 3. What is the one misconception that people have about your job? CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Continues to Next Page 3

PUTTING THE SPOTLIGHT ON OUR COLLEAGUES IN FID (CONT.) Name: Sikhumbuzo Gwambe, 3. What is the one misconception that people have Position: Manager: Forensics, Durban about your job? Length of Service at RAF: 18 Years Employees consider the forensic investigation function as that of: • Monitoring the movements of other employees. • Discreetly listening to employees’ telephonic conver- sations. • Checking what properties or types of cars they own. These are just a few misconceptions about a forensic in- vestigator’s job. Forensic investigators perform their duties within the prescripts of the South African Constitution and other applicable laws and legislation. This is important to note as whatever we do can be ruled inadmissible when presented in courts or any other tribunal, should we be found to have acted against the rules governing our oper- ations. 4. If you were a superhero for a day, what powers would you like to have and why? 1. Please tell us briefly about your job – what is your To reach out to all our colleagues and warn them of the typical day like? indirect consequences of committing fraud and corruption,   such as the shame and embarrassment they bring to their I am a Forensics Manager, managing a team of investi- families and society. I would like them to think of the shame gators. The team is responsible for prevention, detection and embarrassment they would feel after getting arrested, and investigation of fraud, corruption and other related ir- trending on social media and appearing on the front pages regularities committed against the Fund either by internal of national or local newspapers in handcuffs. or external parties. I am also responsible for maintaining a good working relationship with law enforcement agencies I would also like to have the power to make them think about and the National Prosecution Authority. their future career prospects, since this crime leaves an in- delible mark on one’s professional status and reputation. My typical day entails: 5. Which of the ICARE Values do you resonate with and • Checking my calendar, attending to priority matters and why? attending to scheduled meetings. • Receiving matters referred for investigation, reviewing I am unable to single out certain Values as resonating with and allocating such matters to my team of investigators. me because they are all so important and they complement each other. In fact, as RAFzins we must all live and breathe • Quality checking of reports compiled by investigators our Values. before sending them to Head Office. 6. What is the one thing that your colleagues might 2. What do you like about your job? not know about you (i.e., any hidden talents outside of your work)? Fraud and corruption are a direct result of a decay of mor- als and having no conscience among members of our soci- I am a good cook and I enjoy hosting friends. I also used ety, where criminals just keep on taking until the cookie jar to be a good soccer player but now age is not on my side. is empty. 7. Please share a final message with staff regarding Many SOEs and private companies are paying a high price corruption and fraud in the workplace in the form of retrenchments, shutting down, etc., as we speak, due to fraud and corruption. Being in the forensic Please live within your means, don’t chase the high life if investigation environment and working towards uncovering you cannot afford it. Many employees who commit fraud such deeds is fulfilling. Just knowing that there is a role and/or corruption do so because they live beyond their I play in striving for a fraud and corruption free society is means. self-rewarding. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 4



WORLD DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR ROAD TRAFFIC VICTIMS Researched by Thabang Mahlatsi This special Remembrance Day is therefore intended to respond to the great need of road crash victims for public recognition of their loss and suffering. It has also become an important tool for governments and those who work to prevent crashes or respond to the after- math, since it offers the opportunity to demonstrate the enormous scale and impact of road deaths and injuries and the urgent need for action. This year marks the start of the new Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, during which the Remem- brance Day will play a very important part – through highlighting the very reasons for all the necessary actions during this coming decade. The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic As every year, the objectives of WDR 2021 are to Victims (WDR) is commemorated on the third Sun- provide a platform for road traffic victims and their day of November each year. This year it will be on families to remember all people killed and seriously 21 November 2021. injured on the roads and acknowledge the crucial work On the day, the world remembers the many millions of the emergency services. Additional objectives include killed and injured on the world’s roads, together with drawing attention to the generally trivial legal response their families, friends and many others who are also to culpable road deaths and injuries; advocating for affected. It is also a day on which we thank the emer- better support for road traffic victims and their families; gency services and reflect on the tremendous burden and promoting evidence-based actions to prevent and and cost of this daily continuing disaster to families, eventually stop further road traffic deaths and injuries. communities, and countries, and on ways to halt it. WDR 2021 puts the spotlight on the reduction of traffic Road deaths and injuries are sudden, violent, traumatic speeds. Low speeds have the potential to prevent many events. Their impact is long-lasting, often permanent. deaths and serious injuries, in particular, those of pe- Each year, millions of newly injured and bereaved destrians and all other vulnerable road users – children, people from every corner of the world are added to the the elderly and the disabled. countless millions who already suffer. The cumulative toll is truly tremendous. Shtotpusrc:/e/w: ww.gov.za/RemembranceforRoadTrafficVictims2021 CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE https://worlddayofremembrance.org/#top 6 Thabang Mahlatsi is a Specialist: Internal Communication, based in Eco Glades

RAF ACTIVATIONS - ROAD SAFETY AWARENESS by Stakeholder Relations Management Defensive Driving Workshop for Bus and Taxi Drivers, Venue: Dan Tloome Building, Potchefstroom, North West Date: 17 November 2021 Defensive Driving Workshop for Bus and Taxi Drivers, Venue: Mahikeng, North West Date: 18 November 2021 CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 7

RAF ACTIVATIONS - ROAD SAFETY AWARENESS by Stakeholder Relations Management Cyclist Safety Programme, Venue: Cnr Solomon Mahlangu and Lynnwood Road, Tshwane Date: 18 November 2021 CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 8

THE DOS AND DON’TS FOR EMPLOYEES WORKING REMOTELY Researched by Tholakele Radebe 2. Create a morning routine A routine is what triggers your mind to get you started. Maintain a morning routine. It can be anything from making yourself a cup of coffee to doing some exer- cises or changing your pyjamas to getting dressed for work. When you start your day early to follow your routine, it eventually becomes a habit that helps you keep going. If you are new to this culture of work, a routine is a must to follow. A mindful start in the morning can keep you sane and save you much time and help you not to rush later. We all are dealing with an unprecedented situa- tion because of COVID-19 today. Workers from all around the globe are working remotely and trying to adapt to the remote work culture. Remote working has its perks and benefits, and it gives you the flexibility to finish your tasks. But to be more productive in this work culture, you must understand the dos and don’ts. And if you are new to this evolving paradigm, all you need are the correct principles and guidelines to keep going. Here are our key dos and don’ts: Do’s 3. Communicate with your team regularly 1. Do prep for your workstation Just because you are working remotely does not mean that you will work on your own. Communicate with your Your workstation is where you put all your energy when team regularly and stay updated. Tools such as Slack, you work remotely. Please make sure you prep for Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and Workplace by Facebook your work from home set-up. Arrange all the resources will help you keep in touch with peers and staff. you need to build your workstation. Find a place that is comfortable and distraction-free. Since you will spend These can help you connect with your team, arrange most of your time working, make sure you keep all the meetings, and share files and information related to necessary equipment right near your workstation. your work. Also, these can keep everyone on the same page and even more productive. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Continues to Next Page 9

THE DOS AND DON’TS FOR EMPLOYEES WORKING REMOTELY (CONT.) 4. Do take breaks help you to be more effective in your career. You can plan your tasks or create a to-do list the night Take breaks in between to rejuvenate yourself. Taking a before or in the morning. That will set a tone for the break or relaxing helps your brain to retain information rest of your day. And you exactly know what to do and better and be more productive. It is the fuel that needs when. Innovative work is all you need. to be refilled from time to time to keep you going. Take conscious breaks for about 10-15 minutes every hour. You can listen to your favourite music, take your dog out for a walk, or have some family time during the breaks. But make a point not to take extended breaks, or else it will keep you rushing later. 5. Take care of your body and mind Don’ts Keep your body and mind with the proper nourishment 1. Don’t handle household chores during work they demand. Get enough sleep and eat healthy food. hours Make a point to wake up early and resist the temptation to oversleep in the morning. When you are working remotely, you will manage your chores; that’s understandable. But it is crucial to keep a Most importantly, do exercise, even if it is for 15 min- balance between the two. Take time out to do the tasks utes. Go for a walk or do some stretching to keep your- and not let them interfere with your work hours. You self active throughout the day. Meditation is also some- cannot just hold a meeting and then go grocery shop- thing that you try for better focus and concentration at ping. That can be very distracting and can take twice as your work. It is essential to do these practices regularly long to complete your work. for better results. 2. Don’t procrastinate 6. Stay organised and plan your tasks When you work from home, the flexibility can make you procrastinate more if you are not self-aware. People Do you know what a time killer is? A disorganised struc- procrastinate now and then, and that’s understandable. ture and not having a plan or to-do list. Organise your But if you do it regularly, then that might be a problem. tasks based on the priority list. Do the most important It can bring more stress to your work life. Procrastina- work at your most productive hours. This practice will tion can pile up things and it may eventually become very difficult for you to get done. One of the significant CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Continues to Next Page 10

THE DOS AND DON’TS FOR EMPLOYEES WORKING REMOTELY (CONT.) reasons behind procrastination is that the task at hand seems too daunting. In such cases, it’s better to start and find ways to reduce remote work stress. 3. Don’t let your day slip away 5. Don’t work from anywhere Set office hours and give yourself a definite time to Don’t work from anywhere. A dedicated routine and work. It can be based on a schedule that works for you. workspace are essential. For a change of scenery, you If evening hours work best for you, go for it. But do not might change that for a while. You can also share a let the day slip away. Structure your day and plan what coworking space with other professionals if you want. you want to achieve and stick to it. Please don’t take it The other factor that you have to consider is absolutely as your day off, because it is not. Stick to your priorities no working from your sofa or bed, no matter how tempt- and get the work done. ing it might be. The reason is very logical. The sofa and bed make you slouch, and also, it is not advisable for your body posture. 6. Don’t allow your email and social media to be your distractions Avoid distractions while working from home as much as you can. Even though it is essential to check your emails throughout the day, you do not have to keep them open all the time. Schedule an ideal time to re- view your emails. The same goes for social media, and it is more distracting since it is more recreational and fun. 4. Don’t binge on your compulsions So, use your social sites or post a picture of your pet during your break time. Also, you are free to choose a Try to control your compulsions. For example, don’t place to work that is distraction-free. Remote working snack all day when you are working remotely. This is gives you that luxury. Therefore, prioritise so that you not only unhealthy but can also keep you unproductive can be more focused on your work. throughout the day. Also, if you like to play games or follow any other hobbies or interests, don’t let that dis- tract you and come between you and your work. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Source: 11 https://blog.vantagecircle.com/dos-and-donts-for-remote-workers/ Tholakele Radebe is a Copy Editor based in Eco Glades

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THE FUN PAGE neeToddsaayswceo’mvepadreecdidteodwthoaltotohkeyatwtheerecmhaanngyeyseianrsbabseifcorheu.mEannjoy! NOTE TO READERS: What kind of content would you like to see on this page in future editions? We would love to hear from you! Kindly send your suggestions to: [email protected]