“Pay back the money” – a paper on criminal and civil asset forfeiture within South Africa and suggestions for reform
ISSN: 1359-0790
Article publication date: 6 October 2023
Issue publication date: 4 June 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to bring to light the present civil and criminal asset forfeiture procedures within the South African context and to make suggestions for reform thereof. While there exists and is a need for constant change and reform of the law to ensure that it remains transparent, up-to-date and applicable to all means through which economic crime can be committed, South Africa lacks the necessary resources and attitudes to accomplish this essential goal.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach used in this paper is purely qualitative using journal articles, textbooks, reports, periodicals, speeches and legislation as its basis. It is through a consolidation of this literature that this paper was formed.
Findings
While South Africa’s present system of asset forfeiture is producing some impressive results, the process still has vast room for improvement. There are key areas which this paper outlines for reform. However, the probability of improvement is relatively low owing to the levels of corruption, illicit activities and attitudes of mistrust within the South African society at large.
Originality/value
The concept of asset forfeiture is not new to any international jurisdiction, let alone South Africa itself. However, this paper aims to give insight into the specific South African experience of this procedure and how it can possibly be improved within the specific context.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author would like to acknowledge the work and help of his master’s student, Ms Katelyn-Mae Carter. She was incredible during this journey.
Citation
Curlewis, L.G. (2024), "“Pay back the money” – a paper on criminal and civil asset forfeiture within South Africa and suggestions for reform", Journal of Financial Crime, Vol. 31 No. 4, pp. 772-780. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-08-2023-0203
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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