ASSET RECOVERY UNIT
The main aim of the Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) is to take the profit out of crime. The Asset Recovery Unit (ARU) is a branch of the DCEO. Its mission is to “take the profit out of crime”. In other words, the unit aims to ensure that crime does not pay by removing the benefits derived from criminal activity.
“Taking the profit out of crime”
Introduction and Mandate
ARU was established in April 2018 in the Office of the Directorate on Corruption and Economic offences (DCEO) to focus on the implementation of Part IV and V of Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act, 2008 Act No. 4 of 2008) (MLPCA). The ARU was created in order to ensure that the powers in the Act to seize criminal assets would be used to their maximum effect in the fight against crime, and particularly, organised crime.
Key Objectives and Achievements
The AFU has set itself a number of key strategic objectives, namely-
a. to develop the law by taking test cases to court and creating the legal precedents that are necessary to allow the effective use of the law;
b. to build the capacity to ensure that asset forfeiture is used as widely as possible to make a real impact in the fight against crime;
c. to make an impact on selected categories of priority crimes;
d. to establish a national presence;
e. to establish excellent relationships with its key partners, especially the South African Police Service (SAPS), and the South African Revenue Service (SARS); and
f. to build the AFU into a professional and representative organisation.
Taking The Profit Out of Crime
