October 2013 OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF SCORPION LEGAL PROTECTION SCORPION LAWYER PROTECTS MEMBER S LAND! A Scorpion member named Thomas Mashazi had an empty stand that he hadn t visited for a long time. He was later informed by a friend that someone had broken his fence and built a structure on his land. On hearing this information, Mr Mashazi went to his stand the following day with a set of tools to repair his broken fence and investigate the illegal structure erected on his property. That s when all hell broke loose... Continued on page 2. 2014 CALENDAR
LAW OF THE LAND PREVAILS FOR POLICYHOLDER! Mr Mashazi confronted the illegal occupant, who claimed that he was legally entitled to live on the land as he had obtained permission from the community. Mr Mashazi claimed that the community had no legal right to grant such permission and an argument erupted. A few neighbours came to investigate the commotion. When the argument became heated, one of the neighbours called the police. 3 When the police arrived on the scene, the illegal occupant told them that Mr Mashazi had damaged his building with his tools. The police arrested Mr Mashazi and held him on charges of disturbing the peace and malicious damage to property. Mr Mashazi knew he was being wrongfully accused and strongly denied the charges. He immediately called Scorpion for help. Scorpion appointed Mr Cornelius Marais of Marais Attorneys, a top notch lawyer who has successfully finalized over 200 Scorpion cases, to act on his behalf. 5 6 Both parties appeared in court. The Scorpion Lawyer, Mr Marais, successfully defended Mr Mashazi on all charges. It was also further proven that the charges brought by the illegal occupant were false on all counts. Scorpion paid all the legal fees. When the judge told him he was free to go, Mr Mashazi was over the moon with joy! When Mr Marais and Mr Mashazi returned to the stand, they found that the illegal occupant had vacated the area overnight in fear after seeing the Scorpion Lawyer in action in court. Continued from pg 1. Names, places and details have been changed and actors used to illustrate similar incidents handled by Scorpion.
HELPFUL HINTS TO PROTECT YOUR STAND People normally inherit stands from their parents/family members or purchase stands from certain individuals. It is very important to keep documentary proof of everything and anything. BEFORE YOU OCCUPY THE STAND INHERITED THE STAND Always keep copies of the will or any document that shows that you have become the new owner. E.g. A letter from a tribal chief authorizing you to be the owner of certain land. BOUGHT THE STAND Document your purchase through an agreement of sale document signed by you and the seller and register your ownership with the deeds office. AFTER YOU OCCUPY THE STAND FOR BOTH A PURCHASED AND INHERITED STAND: It is advisable to fence off your stand and start building as soon as possible. Keep all your receipts and invoices. Write down important dates such as when you visited your stand, then put all this information in a file that you can keep safe. Meet all your neighbours and tell them ideally in writing, that you are the owner of the stand. Do not resort to violence. Where possible always make sure you have a witness with you. Try to avoid having any unnecessary arguments and disputes. Where there is an argument or dispute, contact Scorpion right away we are available 24/7. CALL: 0861 333 333 These hints are merely guidelines. It is always advisable to obtain professional legal assistance when dealing with such matters. Keeping you alert and informed LOW INTEREST LOANS Many of our members have been tricked by scammers who pretend to be from reputable companies. They send out emails and SMS s that offer loans at unrealistic interest rates in return for an upfront fee to be paid into a fraudulent bank account. This is a scam! If you receive an SMS like this: Do not reply or pay any money into anyone s bank account. Call Scorpion immediately on 0861 333 333 or visit your nearest branch for help. We will investigate to find out whether the company is real and whether the loan offer is legitimate. We are always looking out for the safety of our members and firmly believe that prevention is better than cure. That is why we have established the Scorpion Scam Alert Department. Like our Facebook page for useful tips and information about the latest scams. WEBSITE: www.scorpion.biz MOBISITE: mobi.scorpion.biz
SEVEN STUDENTS TO EACH RECEIVE R10000 IN SCORPION BURSARIES IN 2014! Another academic year is fast approaching and 2013 s group of Scorpion Bursary students are hard at work preparing for their final exams. We are now calling for 2014 applications. Only 7 applicants will be eligible to receive bursaries. If your child intends to study a law course or degree in 2014 and has been accepted by the tertiary institution of their choice, contact your nearest branch and speak to the branch manager who will help you complete the bursary application forms. The closing date for application submissions is 13 DECEMBER 2013. Scorpion s decision is final. No late submissions will be considered and no correspondence will be entered into. NB! Interested candidates must visit their nearest Scorpion branch. You can also contact Scorpion Community Connection to access the Application Forms. Only the children of active Scorpion policyholders may apply for a Scorpion Bursary. For further information and details please contact the Scorpion Community Connection Team directly on: 011 470 3300 or commconnection@scorpion.biz WIN 1 OF 50 SCORPION QUESTION: UMBRELLAS! COMPLETE THE SENTENCE: We have established the Scorpion Alert Department to keep members alert to tricksters and con artists. SMS 41 followed by your answer to 34453 to stand a chance to win! All entries must reach Scorpion by 31st of January 2014. The winners will be the first 50 random entries drawn on 28th of February 2014. The judges' decision is final. Scorpion employees may not enter this competition. R150 per sms. SCORPION BRANCHES: Bellville 021 949 2811 Bloemfontein 051 430 1994 Carletonville 018 788 6960 Durban 0861 000 449 East London 043 742 4781 Empangeni 035 772 1700 Germiston 0861 333 333 Johannesburg 011 836 2331 Kempton Park 011 394 1632 Klerksdorp 018 462 7965 Mafikeng 018 381 7969 Mthatha 047 531 1353 Nelspruit 013 752 2848 Newcastle 034 326 4599 Northam 014 784 4991 Pietermaritzburg 033 345 6153 Polokwane 015 291 2508 Port Elizabeth 041 585 6614 Pretoria 012 321 0425 Roodepoort 011 760 2433 Rustenburg 014 592 9926 Springs 011 815 5002 Vereeniging 016 422 4300 Vryheid 034 980 0681 Welkom 057 352 1585 Witbank 013 656 3390 WEBSITE: www.scorpion.biz MOBISITE: mobi.scorpion.biz CONTACT CENTRE: 0861 333 333 EXPRESS BRANCHES: Kokstad 039 727 3090 George Groblersdal Makhado Port Shepstone An Authorised Financial Services Provider. License Number: 15960. Underwritten by Legal Expenses Insurance Southern Africa Ltd.
MAKE SURE YOUR FRIENDS ARE LEGALLY PROTECTED! After your friend or relative has joined Scorpion and paid their first premium, you are GUARANTEED to get a Scorpion TShirt AND your name will be entered into a draw where you stand the chance to win a brand new Honda Vision scooter! The application form is on the back of this page for your friend or relative to fill in. Remember to also include your information in the space provided on the application form. For more information call 0861 333 333. *Size range limited. TShirt available while stocks last. If we are unable to give you a TShirt, an alternative gift of similar value will be given to you. Rules: Your friend or relative must have joined Scorpion and paid at least one premium by the 31st of January 2014 in order for you to qualify to go into the draw and get a TShirt. The draw for the Honda Vision Scooters will take place on 28th of February 2014. The winner will be informed on confirmation of the audited results of the draw. Scorpion employees may not participate in this promotion.
START YOUR OWN ADVENTURE ON A HONDA VISION SCOOTER! Scorpion Legal Protection will ensure that your rights are protected. It doesn't matter where in the country you are. We will pay your lawyer up to R60000 for legal expenses.* You, your spouse and your children under 21 years of age are covered. Please choose one of these three different types of legal cover: POLICY A: For R67 per month. This policy covers you for job related matters, civil, criminal and administrative matters. (Includes Policy B & C) POLICY B: For R41 per month. This policy covers you for job related matters only. POLICY C: For R41 per month. This policy covers you for civil matters only. Problems to do with your house, your car, contracts and buying and selling are covered. WHEN YOU JOIN YOU GET: Access to top attorneys nationwide. Subject to your chosen policy, you get legal cost cover ranging from R50000 up to R60000 per claim. An annual limit is applicable to your chosen policy. 24hour Legal Contact Centre for legal assistance in 7 different languages. Up to R8000 accidental death legal expenses cover. Free Tax Help Desk. Online assistance through the internet, mobi and facebook. A free basic Last Will and Testament. Platinum Membership Doubles your cover under policies A, B & C from R74 per month up to R120000 per claim. An annual limit is applicable to your chosen policy. MONEY BACK GUARANTEE: A few matters are excluded, but we give you 30 days to read the policy. If you are not satisfied, we will refund you every cent spent. *Terms and Conditions apply. TO JOIN NOW SMS: BIKE TO 34453* OR FILL IN THE APPLICATION FORM BELOW! *R1.50 per sms. SCORPION BRANCHES: Bellville 021 949 2811 Bloemfontein 051 430 1994 Carletonville 018 788 6960 Durban 0861 000 449 East London 043 742 4781 Empangeni 035 772 1700 Germiston 0861 333 333 Johannesburg 011 836 2331 Kempton Park 011 394 1632 Klerksdorp 018 462 7965 Mafikeng 018 381 7969 Mthatha 047 531 1353 Nelspruit 013 752 2848 Newcastle 034 326 4599 Northam 014 784 4991 Pietermaritzburg 033 345 6153 Polokwane 015 291 2508 Port Elizabeth 041 585 6614 Pretoria 012 321 0425 Roodepoort 011 760 2433 Rustenburg 014 592 9926 Springs 011 815 5002 Vereeniging 016 422 4300 Vryheid 034 980 0681 Welkom 057 352 1585 Witbank 013 656 3390 WEBSITE: www.scorpion.biz MOBISITE: mobi.scorpion.biz CONTACT CENTRE: 0861 333 333 EXPRESS BRANCHES: Kokstad 039 727 3090 George Groblersdal Makhado Port Shepstone An Authorised Financial Services Provider. License Number: 15960. Underwritten by Legal Expenses Insurance Southern Africa Ltd. APPLICATION FORM PO Box 1795, Germiston, 1400. Tel: 0861 333 333. Fax: 011 388 4481. I CHOOSE THE FOLLOWING POLICY (Please cross the applicable block.) Normal Policy: A R67 B R41 C R41 OR Platinum Policy: A R102 B R74 C R74 MEMBER S DETAILS Surname: First Names: Date of Birth: Cell No 1: Employer: Postal Address: M M D D ID Number: Cell No 2: Tel No: W: Tel No: H: Email: Title: Mr/Mrs/Other: Home Language: PAYMENT DETAILS I wish to pay every month by stop order salary deduction. Please call me to arrange this. I wish to pay every month by postal order and enclose a crossed postal order Not Transferable and made out to Scorpion. Please make sure that you send your payment with this application. (Do not send cash). I will pay cash every month at either the Post Office, Easypay outlet or at the nearest Scorpion office. I wish to pay every month by Debit Order on my Bank Account. Details are given below. I authorise Scorpion through Legal Expenses Insurance South Africa Limited to deduct my monthly premiums from my account. Account Holder s Name: Account Holder s ID Number: Account Holder s Tel: Name of Bank: Code: NOMINATION OF BENEFICIARY (Person to receive benefits to be paid in terms of this plan in the event of main member s death.) Branch Name: Account No: Type of Account: Cheque Savings I nominate (Name): Deduction/Pay Date: of every month ID Number: Signature of Applicant Signature of Account Holder Tel: MEMBER INFORMATION SHIRT SIZE: Cell: Y Y Y Y M M D D CZA/13305/1013 NWL 41 Names: Policy No: Tel No: