Chief Justice Raymond Zondo
The conference, set to take place at the Council Chambers on South Campus, will feature a keynote address by former Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. Justice Zondo is renowned for his leadership in South Africa’s State Capture Inquiry, which was a judicial commission of inquiry established in 2018 to investigate allegations of widespread corruption and undue influence over state institutions by private individuals and businesses.
Other prominent participants include representatives from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the South African Police Service’s Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Members of Parliament, and international experts from Slovenia and Albania.
The conference will provide a platform for robust discussions on key issues, including:
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The widespread impact of corruption on governance and economic stability
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The effectiveness of South Africa’s criminal justice system in combating corruption
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Global anti-corruption models and lessons from international best practices
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Institutional reforms needed to safeguard democracy and accountability
Through keynote addresses, panel discussions and expert-led sessions, participants will explore strategies to strengthen South Africa’s anti-corruption frameworks and foster a culture of transparency.
“Corruption remains one of the biggest challenges to South Africa’s democracy and economic growth. This conference will bring together leading voices to discuss innovative approaches to combat corruption and restore public trust,” FishFORCE director, Professor Hennie van As, says.
FishFORCE, the first ever such academy in Africa, was established in 2016 in the University’s Faculty of Law, and officially launched the following year.
Funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, FishFORCE’s main objective is to improve knowledge and promote intelligence-led investigations and prosecutions of criminals engaged in fisheries crime in Africa and globally.
The Academy was established as a partnership between Mandela University, the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE).
Since its inception, and launch in November 2017, FishFORCE has done tremendous work in contributing to the global fight against fisheries crime, highlighting the gravity of these and the severe economic impact.
It has formed strategic partnerships around the world and has been instrumental in the training and development of officials in various countries in tackling fisheries crime.