The South African Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) hosts asset recovery lawyers from ARINSA countries three times a year on what is called the Prosecutor Placement Programme. It is a 4 week programme, the first two weeks of which are largely spent in an intensive training workshop in Pretoria at the NPA's head office. The recently concluded session that was conducted in Pretoria included representatives from Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Uganda as well as Burundi, the latter being the first time that this country participated in the programme. The NPA's new National Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Shaun Abrahams, Mr Willie Hofmeyr who is the Head of the AFU as well as Adv Dianne Willman who is the National Training and Development Specialist in the AFU are featured in the front row. Topics covered in the workshop included conviction and non-conviction based forfeiture, asset management, execution of orders and legal drafting. A lighter non-legal topic on personal branding was also included in the workshop. This helps sensitise participants to the need to be alert to the image / brand that is being developed by them in this new field especially the construction of a brand that exhibits sound organisational values like integrity and service delivery. This is an invisible but crucial aspect to constructing a sound reputation and developing influence in a new field. The field of asset recovery is a complex mix of legal expertise, personal commitment and strategic considerations. A powerful, robust and all encompassing approach is therefore required to fight crime and make a difference. Participants will return to their countries at the end of August after they have completed 2 weeks at AFU offices around the country.
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