Justice College and SABRIC Partner to Combat Financial Crime and Cybercrime

During the signing ceremony, Advocate Mashabane emphasized the increasing threat of cybercrime, particularly within the legal sector.

The Brigitte Mabandla Justice College has taken a significant step forward in the fight against financial crime and corruption by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC). The agreement, signed by Advocate Doc Mashabane, Director General of the Department of Justice, and Nischal Mewalall, CEO of SABRIC, outlines a comprehensive collaboration to strengthen efforts against financial and cybercrime in South Africa.

The MoU covers several key areas of cooperation, including:

Mitigating financial and cybercrime risks

Developing and implementing advanced digital capabilities

Enhancing capacity-building and skills development within the legal and financial sectors

During the signing ceremony, Advocate Mashabane emphasized the increasing threat of cybercrime, particularly within the legal sector. He noted the urgent need for those in law enforcement and the judiciary to acquire specialized skills in prosecuting cyber crimes, which often involve complex financial crimes.

“We have secured funding from the Criminal Assets Recovery Account (CARA) to train and build capacity in digital forensic investigation. It is crucial to retrain officials to understand the requirements for successfully prosecuting cybercrime,” Mashabane stated. He stressed the importance of equipping judicial officials, magistrates, judges, and lawyers with the necessary knowledge to address the unique challenges posed by cybercrime.

Mashabane also highlighted the vulnerability of the general public to cybercrime, underscoring the need for widespread awareness and education. "As technological advancements continue, all South Africans must recognize the associated risks. We cannot opt out of this digital era; instead, we must identify these risks and educate ourselves," he said.

The DG assured that the MoU would be actively implemented and not merely "gather dust in the cupboards." He committed to ensuring that by February, when new students are admitted to the college, there will be an introductory program focused on the challenges of cybercrime, particularly for those in the criminal justice system.

This partnership between the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College and SABRIC marks a bold and ambitious move to strengthen South Africa’s capacity to combat financial and cybercrime, ensuring that both legal professionals and the public are better equipped to navigate and protect themselves in the digital landscape.