SALDRU & ALI-SA Host Second Policy Dialogue on The Shadow Economy and Extortion in SA

In February, SALDRU and the African Leadership Initiative South Africa (ALI-SA) hosted the second of its joint policy dialogues in the lead-up to SALDRU’s SA at 30 Years of Democracy conference. This dialogue was on “The shadow economy and extortion”, and formed a crucial part of the series. Crime and extortion remain significant challenges in South Africa, threatening the safety and livelihoods of citizens, undermining the rule of law, and undermining economic growth, deepening the crisis of unemployment.

Participants included representatives from the Global Initiative against Transnational Organiszed Crime, Government representatives fighting against extortion networks, victims of extortion-based crime, and activists working to build awareness of and resilience against organised criminal networks. The discussion focussed on empowering local communities and businesses to dismantle extortion networks, exploring private sector collaboration, leveraging technology, and drawing on international best practices to strengthen our national response to these pressing issues.

Further impetus to these discussions will be picked up in the SA@30 conference, where a special session on Overcoming Corruption in SA’s Institutions will be held.

Do register to attend the conference here.