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Vandalism and theft is costing ratepayers The lives of officials were at stake and vehicles damaged recently when law enforcement officers assisted electricians to remove unlawful electricity connections in order to restore electricity in Zwelihle. Officers also had personal possessions stolen. “Theft of electricity and vandalism are serious crimes and ultimately cost ratepayers money,” said the Overstrand Municipality in
a statement last week. “These acts jeopardise the safety of the entire community and impact negatively on the daily lives of law-abiding residents.” The municipality appeals to community members to work with officials, and not against them, when they perform their functions to the benefit of law-abiding citizens.
Wills Week 26 - 30 October 2020
Wills Week: why is it important to have a will? D id you know that more than 75% of South Africans pass away without a valid will in place, causing devastating consequences for their families and dependants?
not have the necessary legal knowledge to ensure that the requirements of the law are met.
To help combat this statistic, the Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) promotes National Wills Week every year, with participating attorneys offering their will-drafting services for basic wills at no cost to clients.
If you die without leaving a valid will, your assets will be distributed according to the provisions of the Intestate Succession Act. The provisions of this Act are generally fair and ensure that your possessions are transferred to your spouse and children.
Wills Week is normally in September, but due to the Covid-19 lockdown regulations, the LSSA has officially announced that National Wills Week will be from 26 – 30 October this year. By making a will you ensure that your assets are disposed of in accordance with your wishes after your death. This privilege is called ‘freedom of testation’. According to Capital Legacy, the reality is that most people know they need a will, but statistics show that South Africans are notorious procrastinators. “In a recent survey we conducted, we asked people why they haven’t got their wills in order,” says Alex Simeonides, CEO and co-founder of Capital Legacy. The results?
Contact Us For A Free Will Tel: 064 747 0345
jonathan@dejagerattorneys.com
21 October 2020
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43% of respondents said: “I just haven’t got around to it”. 27% said: “I’m not sure where to get my Will done”. 21% said: “I think it might be expensive to get a Will”. Only 9% of respondents said they think they don’t need a Will.
Why should an attorney draft your will? Attorneys are professionals qualified in law. An attorney can advise you on any problem which may arise with regard to your will. An attorney has the necessary knowledge and expertise to ensure that your will is valid and complies with your wishes. Often a will is not valid because the person who drafts it does
What happens to your estate if you die without a valid will?
BUT, the following problems may arise if you die without leaving a will:
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Your assets and family heirlooms may not be left to the person(s) of your choice. Your partner may be left with nothing if you are not married, or your will is not updated from a previous marriage. It can take a long time to have an executor appointed. The executor who is appointed may be somebody you may not have chosen yourself. Your children’s inheritance could pass to the Government Guardian’s Fund or an appointed guardian rather than to a Trust that will ensure your wishes for them are carried out. Winding up your estate can take years and the Government will essentially be in control of the process. There can be extra and unnecessary costs.
Families often struggle to deal with the devastating loss of a loved one, and this struggle is made infinitely more difficult when your affairs are not in order. Unhappiness and conflict among members of your family could arise and even lead to long-lasting feuds if there are no clear instructions on how to distribute your assets. For more information on National Wills Week, visit the Law Society of South Africa’s website, www.lssa.org.za
Three drown when boat capsizes NSRI Kleinmond duty crew were activated at 07:11 on Saturday, 17 October following reports of a RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat) that washed ashore approximately 4 kilometres from Kleinmond. The boat was suspected to have capsized during the night. According to NSRI Kleinmond station commander, Schalk Boonzaaier, The NSRI Kleinmond sea rescue craft Jaytee III and Rescue 42 Alpha were launched and the NSRI Hermanus sea rescue craft South Star and Rotarian Burnett were diverted from a training exercise to join in the search. A sea and shoreline search commenced for what was initially believed to be four missing men. NSRI Gordon’s Bay duty crew and NSRI ASR (Airborne Sea Rescue) rescue swimmers were placed on alert. The SA Police Services, WC Government Health EMS and Overberg Fire and Rescue Services were also activated. The casualty RHIB was located by rescue
authorities where it had washed up on the beach and during the search it was confirmed that only three men, believed to be from Hawston, had been on the boat during the night. Sadly the body of one of the missing men was located and secured on the beach near to where the casualty boat was found. NSRI rescue swimmers waded into the surf in the same vicinity and while they conducted sweeping line search efforts, the sea rescue craft continued with a sea search. Sadly the bodies of the remaining two missing men were located some distance apart in the surfline and recovered. The three bodies were declared deceased by paramedics and they were confirmed to be the men who had been reported missing. The bodies of the deceased were taken into the care of Police and WC Forensic Pathology Services. An inquest docket was opened by the police.
