Follow Singapore’s casino solutions

IREFER to “Dicing with death” (September 11). Given the debate around casinos and the issue of problem gamblers, the solution is very simple. Learn from Singapore and maybe Macau.

Casinos in South Africa will argue “problem gamblers” [account for] a small percentage of their takings. Singapore, like South Africa, delayed gambling until the case became too strong not to have casinos.

Singapore has a few simple solutions. Firstly a high entrance fee for locals, while foreigners need passport clearance before entering.

Secondly and very importantly, any family member can ban a person from entering a casino, or the gambler may ask to be barred. Finally, some people are automatically barred, among them people who receive government aid, are bankrupt, or receive legal aid.

This will eliminate many of the social problems (apart from financial) that are way beyond the casino floor.

Macau has an interesting regulation: no civil servants of Macau are permitted to gamble.

South Africa should send a few inspectors to Singapore and come back with a few ideas to implement. — Muhammad Omar, Durban North

Zuma’s flights of fancy

“ZUMA’S R500m backup Boeing” (September 11) refers. Any aeroplane is only as good as its maintenance crew. In the 1980s I learnt to fly on World War 2 Harvards, some of them 40 years old. Over seven years, I never had a single maintenance issue when flying them, and that includes maintenance test flights. The gentlemen maintaining Air Force aeroplanes at that time did a superb job. I can’t ever thank them enough.

By getting rid of experienced and professional ground crew, any aircraft, including the Concorde or the Space Shuttle, will suffer from poor maintenance. I also flew Boeing 737s for SAA. Well maintained, it’s an excellent piece of equipment. Zuma or his people seem to have an itch to spend a vast amount of other people’s money on a new toy. — Tod Burns, by e-mail

Community conquers crime

“HIGH walls of horror” (September 11) refers. The crime rate in Zinniaville, Rustenburg, was very high, with house break-ins and armed robberies in December 2008. An anticrime neighbourhood passive watch roster was formed by the residents every night from 11pm to 5am, along with visible security on nearly every street, with police also patrolling. Crime dropped by nearly 90% immediately. Besides the police, communities need to be vigilant and active against crime in their areas. — Baba Saloojee, Rustenburg

It’s not too late for ANC

DEAR Mrs Ramphele. I share the sentiments reflected in your article “Echo of apartheid strategy in battle over the public purse” (September 4).

It is high time that South Africans stand up and fight for our country. The ruling party has failed us and continues failing us by protecting Citizen No 1, who never showed interest in the nation, but cares for his family, friends and those loyal to him.

It is time that the ruling party stops [underestimating] our intelligence. We do see and can understand what is happening in front of our eyes.

The ruling party must listen to the outcry about its leadership and the president. Failing this, corruption, dishonesty and lack of moral values will continue destroying our democracy. The ANC has a chance to rectify its mistakes before the next elections. — Anonymous, by e-mail

Brine rubs salt in wounds

“TIME to cut back on this killer condiment” (September 11) refers.

With legislation now coming into force, many processed foods will have to reduce salt. However, the brining of chicken, which is just injecting saltwater to make it look nicer and increase the weight, has escaped this legislation.

Chicken forms an essential part of the diet of the poorest of our population, who are also the most vulnerable to blood pressure [problems]. The debate on brining chicken seems to surround the economic aspects, only with the health implications ignored. —SW Brighton, Sedgefield

MK soldiers not only vets

“NO place for a private army in a democracy” (September 11) refers.

At the recent Delville Wood centenary memorial service in France, the minister of defence decreed that the only South African veterans who could participate in the parade and service were those representing the MK veterans.

What a disgrace that no other South African veteran organisations were on parade. MK did not exist in 1916. — Jim Findlay, Parklands

Hear Khoena’s cry, MK Vets

KEBBY, you made a bold statement that MK Military Veterans Association will defend any South African treated unfairly. Are the Guptas South African? Why does the MKMVA not defend the Khoena/ coloureds, who are treated as thirdclass citizens in their motherland? — !Nauseb Swartz, by e-mail

Power of ’white’ sport on TV

“THE big T” (September 11) was quite interesting and equating porn to transformation particularly refreshing. However, our own government and sporting bosses are the ones who keep transformation from happening. As long as rugby and cricket, the so-called white elite sports, are not being shown on SABC channels, no young kids will be interested in them. So show the sport, even with a half-hour delay, and interest will grow. — Kobus, by e-mail

Ridiculous and illogical

I READ with horror “Don’t go! Black business pleads with Zuma to stay” (September 11). Black Business Council president Ndaba Ntsele claimed that white business was behind the recall of President Mbeki. His memory and logic are impaired. His claim that white business was behind the march on Luthuli House is equally ridiculous. His claim that the president was “elected through the ballot” is also false. Unelected members of the ANC elected the president. — Tom Morgan, by e-mail