Hawks' New Digital Forensic Center: A Leap Forward in South Africa’s Fight Against Financial Crimes

The newly established Digital and Financial Forensic Analysis Centre, a collaborative initiative spearheaded by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) along with the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric) and the Banking Association South Africa (Basa), celebrates a year of remarkable technological advancements in crime-fighting. This centre marks a significant step in forensic investigations, enabling a swifter and more precise analysis of financial data critical in countering criminal activities.

One of the center's notable accomplishments is its capability to convert both digital and physical bank statements into an electronic format for analysis. This breakthrough technology has drastically reduced the time needed for processing data, thereby accelerating the detection of illicit money flows and enhancing the overall efficiency of investigative procedures.

Launched in November 2023, the centre aligns with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s efforts to foster cooperation between the business sector and the government to strengthen the nation's criminal justice system. This collaboration provides the Hawks with the necessary software, hardware, and technical expertise to effectively tackle complex financial crimes, such as money laundering and terrorism financing.

Lieutenant General Godfrey Lebeya, head of the Hawks, emphasized the importance of adapting to a rapidly evolving digital landscape to combat organized crime effectively. With 64 specialized personnel, including Hawks officers and technical support staff, the centre benefits from a broader network of IT and data science experts who have developed sophisticated processes for analyzing financial value chains.

A notable innovation introduced by the centre is the digital service of Section 205 subpoenas, which was launched on 28 November. This service allows the Hawks to subpoena bank records electronically, a move that has significantly optimized the subpoena process with banks across Gauteng now connected through a secure communication network.

Looking ahead, Sabric CEO Nischal Mewallall outlined ambitious plans to expand these digital initiatives across all nine provinces and eventually nationwide, aiding not only the Hawks but also the broader South African Police Service (SAPS) in their investigative efforts.

These advancements not only serve as milestones for the Hawks but are also pivotal strides towards removing South Africa from the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) grey list. This removal could potentially boost economic confidence and promote a culture of accountability within the nation.

Dr. Graham Wright, CEO of Business Against Crime South Africa, highlighted the broader context of this initiative, which is part of the Joint Initiative on Crime and Corruption (JICC). This initiative fosters cooperation between the private sector and government agencies, enhancing the Hawks' capabilities to address financial and digital crimes effectively.

Through these concerted efforts, the Digital and Financial Forensic Analysis Centre not only empowers the Hawks with advanced tools to chase down financial discrepancies but also ensures a just and transparent approach in the digital age, respecting the rights of individuals while pursuing perpetrators of financial crimes.