One of the stranger stories, to come out of the government sector, is a proposed legislation that will grant only the South African Weather Service permission to issue warnings about harsh weather conditions. In other words, the state wants to control weather reporting. And anyone other than the state, who issues warnings about harsh weather conditions, will be jailed for ten years or fined millions of rands.

The South African Weather Services Amendment Bill will see citizens issuing any “severe weather or pollution-related warning” without written permission from the South African Weather Service, facing a multi-million rand fine and a possible 10 years imprisonment. Under the legislation, only the South African Weather Service (SAWS) will be permitted to issue “serious weather warnings”. It is understood the Bill is hoped to control the reporting of hazardous weather events, to prevent incorrect warnings being issued. [via]

Oh, and if the SAWS get their predictions wrong, then there is nothing you can do about it, according to the bill.

The implications are broad and damaging, particularly in the field of science. Thankfully, a bunch of intelligent people and organisations are challenging all of this draconian idiocy.

I was at our local municipality and noticed that, at counter number five, one is able to pay for a variety of things.

Including dumping tickets.

In other words, if you were given a ticket for dumping, then you may pay at counter number five (instead of number two, as one might expect). And make sure that your hands have been washed. For the sake of those in the queue behind you. (If you’d like to settle your water bill, then you may do so at number one.)

The city definitely works for you.

South Africa’s health minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, has thrown his weight around, telling the fast food industry to make more nutritious menu options and to remove the free toys from the meals.

Which is a bit disappointing. Because I like the free toys.

Update

I quite enjoyed this comment.

It actually pisses me off this whole junk food must become healthy crap. I dont go out to Mcds to have healthy food! If I wanted that I’d order a salad. Start putting the responsiblity on the customers! And WTF is with taking away the toy! [Rikki, via Facebook]

The carriages on either end are railed while the one in question isn’t. How does that happen? (Cue comments from train experts.)

The hilarity happened just before midday.

Funnier still, is that, apparently, the Metrorail staff were more interested in taking their lunch break, than seeing to the train-that-thought-it-could. Which is understandable. Particularly in the hard-working public sector.