BY BANELE MAGONGO
MBABANE- Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Prince Simelane has launched a workshop aimed at fighting money laundering and other financial crimes.
The workshop, which will last four days, was launched today (Monday, June 17, 2024) at Hilton Garden Inn, Mbabane.
It is said the workshop is aimed at eradicating the financial crimes such as money laundering, terrorist financing, drug trafficking, human trafficking and other related crimes.
The seminar will be graced by key stakeholders, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Asset Recovery Network of Southern Africa (ARINSA). ARINSA, a collaborative network that facilitates cooperation on asset recovery matters in the Southern African region, will be represented at the event. Moreover, a representative from the United States’ State Department is also slated to be part of the workshop.
The minister highlighted the critical role of the National Risk Assessment Framework in empowering Eswatini to comply with international standards in combating money laundering and terrorist financing. He underscored that when the delegation from the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) evaluated the country’s systems for countering money laundering activities and terrorist financing, they identified a need for better coordination and cooperation between law enforcement authorities, other competent agencies, and the private sector in identifying, investigating, and mitigating terrorist financing risks.
He underlined that during the follow-up evaluation by ESAAMLG in 2023, the existence of the National Risk Assessment Framework was favourably acknowledged, but its implementation still required attention. Therefore, the current workshop, which is generously supported by ARINSA, aims to address the identified challenges, including the lack of proper implementation of the framework. Minister Simulate expressed gratitude, emphasizing the importance of the support and cooperation in fighting financial crimes.
