AML Week 2024, Shaping a United Front Against Financial Crimes
Adv Ouma Rabaji-Rasethaba, Minister Ronald Lamola and Ms Lindy Muzila singing the national anthem of the Republic of South Africa
25 January 2024, Cape Town
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Southern Africa successfully concluded the Anti-Money Laundering Week organized by the Global Programme against Money Laundering, Proceeds of Crime, and the Financing of Terrorism (GPML), held in Cape Town from 22nd to 26th January 2024. This significant event witnessed the convergence of dignitaries, government officials, and experts, marking a collaborative effort to address the growing challenges of financial crimes.
Participants during the opening ceremony
The 2024 AML Week boasted the participation of 109 participants from various SADC countries, the South African Minister of Justice, Solicitor General and the Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions. It further included representatives from institutions crucial to combatting financial crime in South Africa such as the National Treasury, South African Police Service (SAPS), Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). This diverse representation underscored the commitment of the international as well as domestic community to combatting money laundering, proceeds of crime, and terrorism financing.
The AML Week served as a pivotal platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions on the latest developments, challenges, and progress in the field of anti-money laundering. Specialized events covered a spectrum of topics, including countering the financing of terrorism, financial disruption training related to crimes in the minerals sector, tracing and investigating virtual assets transactions, and a private sector dialogue addressing financial crimes linked to environmental offenses in Southern Africa.
Left-Right: Mr Fhedzisani Pandelani, Solicitor General (Republic of South Africa); Adv Ouma Rabaji-Rasethaba, Deputy National Director Of Public Prosecutions, (Republic of South Africa); Honourable Minister, Mr Ronald Lamola, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services (Republic of South Africa); Ms Lindy Muzila, Programme Coordinator for GPML Southern Africa; Brigadier General Phumeza Klaas, South African Police Services; Mr Oliver Gadney, GPML Head; Mr Kelvin Mufute, Principal Public Prosecutor, National Prosecuting Authority (Zimbabwe)
In his opening address, Mr. Oliver Gadney, Head of GPML, commended South Africa for its remarkable strides in recovering billions from the proceeds of crime in recent years. He specifically lauded the impact of the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA), stating, "Through the criminal assets recovery account (CARA), various development initiatives were financed such as shelters for women and children, the anti-corruption court as well as supporting law enforcement."
Advocate Ouma Rabaji-Rasethaba, Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions and head of the Asset Forfeiture Unit, highlighted the creation of an Asset Recovery Hub, noting, "The National Prosecuting Authority, in collaboration with the Financial Intelligence Centre, has initiated the creation of an Asset Recovery Hub which focuses on domestic and international suspicious transaction reports, generated by financial institutions, to prevent and combat cross-border illicit financial flows."
In his keynote address, Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Honourable Ronald Lamola, acknowledged the pervasive influence of corruption in post-democratic South Africa. He stressed the need for citizens to come together inclusively and hold the government accountable, saying, "The repercussions of corruption have become evident through numerous investigations and cases, which have not only rocked the political landscape but also eroded the moral integrity of our communities."
AML Week 2024 undoubtedly played a pivotal role in fostering collaboration, sharing insights, and advancing the global fight against money laundering, proceeds of crime, and the financing of terrorism. As the international community remains committed to these critical endeavors, the impact of this event is expected to resonate far beyond the shores of South Africa through the strengthening of partnerships and continuous dialogue on these issues.
