From June 10-13, 2024, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa and the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network of Southern Africa (ARINSA), organized two important workshops in Windhoek, Namibia. These workshops aimed to enhance Namibia’s ability to recover proceeds of crime and improve the skills of 27 legal practitioners and 20 investigators.

 

Experts from the Asset Forfeiture Unit within the National Prosecution Authority of South Africa led the training sessions. Participants were given a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, focusing on the global nature of asset recovery and the importance of international collaboration.

 

The workshop for legal practitioners, held under the Prosecutor Placement Program (PPP), focused on the effective presentation of evidence in court. Participants learned how to compile and present evidence clearly and convincingly, making their cases stronger and more likely to lead to successful prosecutions. This training covered techniques for organizing and presenting complex financial data in a way that judges and juries could easily understand.

 

In their workshop, legal practitioners were taken through the procedures related to unexplained wealth orders. They learned how to use these orders to compel individuals to explain the sources of their wealth, a powerful tool in identifying and recovering illicit assets. This training is particularly relevant given the increasing use of unexplained wealth orders worldwide.

The other workshop for investigators, conducted under the Investigator Placement Programme (IPP), concentrated on conducting financial investigations. Investigators were trained on advanced methods for tracking and analyzing financial transactions to uncover illegal activities. The training aimed to enhance their ability to detect and investigate financial crimes more effectively.

 

Handling virtual assets and associated legal challenges was covered extensively by investigators. With the rise of virtual assets, the workshop for investigators provided essential training on how to track, seize, and manage these assets. This included addressing the unique legal and technical challenges posed by virtual assets.

 

Speaking on the lessons learned Basson Lilungwe, a state prosecutor from the office of the prosecutor general said “the training was well presented and assisted me in fully understanding issues arising from the asset forfeiture application process. From now on I will keep an extra eye on the possibility of making an application in terms of section 32 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act[i].”

 

Both workshops also covered the understanding and application of relevant legislation in Namibia. Legal practitioners and investigators delved into the laws and regulations that govern asset recovery and anti-money laundering efforts, exploring both national and international legal frameworks and how to use them effectively to fight financial crimes.

These workshops played a vital role in providing Namibia’s prosecutors and investigators with the essential tools and knowledge to effectively combat money laundering and terrorism financing. Beyond the practical training, the sessions offered a valuable opportunity for participants to exchange best practices and highlighted the critical need for international cooperation in asset recovery.

 

By elevating the capabilities of Namibia’s legal practitioners and investigators, this collaborative effort seeks to foster a safer and more secure financial environment both within the country and across the region. These events were organized through the financial support from the US State Department and in-kind contributions from the National Prosecution Authority of South Africa, which underscores the importance of these workshops in the continued fight against transnational organized crime.