28 Apr 2019

The increasing complexity of crime has compelled governments to intensify efforts to combat financial crimes .

In an effort to augment money laundering prevention, Botswana established the Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA) in 2013 whose mandate includes fighting the crime as well as the financing of terrorism.

Speaking at the recent induction for newly appointed judges, FIA director general Dr Abel Sethibe said such crimes were increasingly becoming a serious threat necessitating that security agencies no longer worked in silos which had proven to be an impediment to crime combating efforts.

He commended Botswana for passing several pieces of legislation last year to meet the requirements of the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti Money Laundering Group. However, he said it remained critical for the country to enhance its capacity to effectively implement the laws.

Zooming in on FIA’s work, Dr Sethibe said it included gathering financial intelligence so as to among other things establish crime trends.

Further, he said financial intelligence also assisted in identifying transactions that could be indicative of money laundering as well as to establish the scale of criminality and the nature and extent of criminal networks.

It was also used to trace the proceeds of crime and to assist in developing evidence which could be used for prosecution, he said.

Citing sources of financial intelligence, Dr Sethibe mentioned the FIA database, government agencies, the private sector and individuals adding that after the gathering of intelligence, the validity of the information was tested by ascertaining its relevance and evaluating the source.

Apart from money laundering, the judges heard lectures on other subjects such as managing trials, writing judgments and sentencing, environmental law, appeals and reviews.

The newly appointed High Court judges are Justices Omphemetse Motumise, Chris Gabanagae, Tshegofatso Mogomotsi, Reuben Lekorwe, Matlhogonolo Phuthego, Ookeditse Maphakwane, Gabriel Komboni and Itumeleng Segopolo. ENDS