The perpetrators are not petty thieves. They are powerful crime bosses, crooked politicians and sophisticated syndicates with tentacles stretching across Southern Africa and beyond.

The construction mafia, illicit cigarette barons, criminal gold, coal and diesel cartels, and bent law enforcement officials are looting our country with impunity.

This is transnational organised crime on a scale we can no longer ignore.

At its core, illicit trade is the production, distribution and sale of goods outside legal and regulated channels.

That means products that evade taxes, dodge quality controls or are outright counterfeit.

Whether it’s a pack of untaxed cigarettes, smuggled alcohol, non-compliant electricals or fake medicine, every illegal transaction drains state revenue, undermines legitimate businesses and exposes consumers to unsafe products.

The numbers alone are staggering.

Illicit trade robs the fiscus of R100 billion every year. That’s R250 million a day stolen from honest, hard-working South Africans.

Illicit cigarettes alone strip almost R30 billion from the country annually, while illegal alcohol costs another R16.5 billion.

These are not victimless crimes. This is money that should be building schools, fixing hospitals and creating jobs. Instead, it vanishes into the pockets of criminals and their enablers.

The consequences are devastating.

While the syndicates grow fat on illicit profits, South African children are dying of hunger, unemployment is surging and millions of families are trapped in poverty.

Our national assets are being stolen before our eyes, and the state’s ability to provide services is being hollowed out.

Yet while the evidence mounts, our justice system moves at a glacial pace.

Criminals exploit every delay, every loophole, every weak point in enforcement to tighten their grip.

Billions of rand which should be securing our future are being siphoned out of the country through illicit financial flows.

This cannot go on. If we do not act, these hyenas will strip the country bare, leaving only a rotting husk behind.

South Africans deserve better. The fight against illicit trade is now a matter of survival and should be declared a national emergency.

Yusuf Abramjee is the founder of Tax Justice South Africa (TJSA) and a leading anti-crime activist.

The post South Africa is being robbed and we’re all paying the price appeared first on ProtectionWeb.

“Its manifestations are diverse: drug trafficking, human trafficking, illicit firearms, cybercrime, wildlife crime, money laundering, and terrorism, to name but a few of the most threatening,” Cachalia said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the 27th African Regional Interpol Conference underway in Cape Town, Cachalia said these crimes transcend borders, exploit technological advances and undermine the security of people and the integrity of respective States and economies.

“We are all mindful, particularly, that syndicated crime today is not static. The evolving nature of criminal activities, the emergence of new trends and the use of sophisticated technologies by criminal networks compel us to constantly adapt our responses,” Cachalia said.

Cachalia said dealing with these crimes demands a collective, concerted and focused effort.

“It requires robust strategies, and the concrete implementation of agreed actions at national, regional, continental and global levels.

“We are gathered here to generate solutions that are both strategic and pragmatic; solutions that can be implemented effectively within our countries and within the frameworks of our regional and continental organisations.

“Our deliberations will help to shape a more coordinated African response to transnational organised crime, one that strengthens the security of our borders while protecting the rights and wellbeing of our people.”

Cachalia said South Africa’s participation in the conference is firmly rooted in the country’s constitutional values and long-term national vision.

“Our Constitution enshrines the right of every person to safety and security, and it compels the State to protect and uphold these rights.

“Our engagement in regional and global security cooperation is, therefore, not only a matter of international solidarity but also an essential component of our domestic agenda.”

Cachalia said South Africa recognises that transnational organised crime undermines development and corrodes governance.

“By weakening institutions, fuelling corruption, and diverting resources, it impedes our ability to achieve the aspirations of Agenda 2063 of the African Union and the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.”

In his welcoming address, National Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Fannie Masemola, said the biennial conference is one of INTERPOL’s most significant regional events.

“It offers us the opportunity to assess crime threats and emerging trends, strengthen INTERPOL’s core capabilities, and reinforce the global policing cooperation that links Africa to all 193 member countries of INTERPOL.”

Masemola said transnational organised crime is evolving with alarming speed.

“Whether it is drug trafficking, human trafficking, cybercrime, firearms smuggling, vehicle theft or illegal mining, these crimes exploit borders, weaken governance, fuel corruption and destabilise communities. Behind every crime statistic lies a story of lives shattered, families broken, and communities robbed of their peace.”

The conference is being attended by the President of INTERPOL, Major General Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi; the Secretary General of INTERPOL, Mr Valdecy Urquiza, and Police Chiefs from INTERPOL member countries, amongst others.

The high-level gathering will underscore South Africa’s commitment to regional and international cooperation in combating transnational organised crime, terrorism and other emerging security threats.

It is expected to result in concrete agreements on strengthening regional responses, while also serving as a platform for the exchange of best practices and the deepening of law enforcement partnerships.

The post Transnational organised crime remains a serious threat to peace appeared first on ProtectionWeb.