Established in the year 2023, the Southern Africa Heads of Prosecution (SAHOP) Forum, was formed with the aim of enhancing regional cooperation among the prosecution agencies in Southern Africa. This forum comprises Directors of Public Prosecutions (DPPs) and Prosecutor Generals from 15 countries in Southern Africa, all united by a common mission: to strengthen criminal justice systems, improve prosecution efficiency, and effectively combat transnational crime. The creation of SAHOP responds to the growing need for a coordinated regional effort in tackling critical issues such as corruption, organised crime, and illicit financial flows, which threaten the stability and development of the region.
Since its inception, SAHOP has primarily convened through virtual platforms, allowing its members to engage and collaborate despite geographic distances. This model of virtual meetings has provided a foundation for sharing vital information and exchanging best practices among prosecution services. However, this December, from the 4th to 6th, SAHOP will host its first ever in-person meeting, co-hosted by Zambia’s Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Gilbert A. Phiri SC, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), in Kasane, Botswana. The gathering will be held on the occasion of the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network of Southern Africa (ARINSA), under the theme, “Promoting Development through Asset Recovery: Strengthening Regional Cooperation in Southern Africa.”
The timing of this meeting could not have been more ideal, as this strategic alignment with the ARINSA AGM will bring together policymakers, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials from across the region to discuss and implement strategies for tackling illicit financial flows and advancing asset recovery. Africa loses an estimated USD 88.6 billion annually due to illegal financial practices, a challenge that deeply undermines economies and exacerbates inequality. Both SAHOP and ARINSA will collaborate to address these issues, fostering stronger cross-border cooperation and enhancing the recovery of assets linked to criminal activity.
The event will also focus on other key concerns such as corruption, the exchange of information, and building institutional capacity. By strengthening regional cooperation, SAHOP aims to contribute to a more just and sustainable future for Southern Africa.
The 15 member states of SAHOP – Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, eSwatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe -will all participate in this important gathering.
Follow us for updates on this crucial meeting, as its outcomes will shape the future of criminal justice and asset recovery across Southern Africa.