Recent media headlines and commission enquiries have cast a harsh spotlight on deep-seated corruption, administrative gaps, and systemic friction within justice and security entities. When the very institutions tasked with enforcement face internal factions, transnational organised crime syndicates swiftly capitalise on the chaos. Securing physical and digital gateways is critical to safeguard SA’s reputation as being a hub for illicit trade.
“As everyone propagates their own mission and solutions industry, society and the economy is bleeding, the only recourse is to collaborate and avoid operating in silo’s, but then the question who can be trusted?” says Ankia Roux organiser of the upcoming 2nd Annual Transnational Organised Crime Prevention Conference, taking place from 20 – 21 October 2026 at the Indaba Hotel in Johannesburg.
“Having key role-players from both the government and the private sector in the same room is one of the critical measures to move past crisis management and toward bulletproof, actionable strategies,” Roux, says. “Our goal for this second annual conference is to accelerate cross-border intelligence and give frontline forces the technological edge they need to reclaim our borders and secure our economies. Focussing heavily on disrupting the top tiers of illicit value chains using intelligent, tech-driven interventions to ensure an actionable blueprint is established.”
Leading experts from law enforcement, government, security, financial intelligence and research institutions will address the growing threat of organised and transnational crime, with a particular focus on its impact on South Africa, regional security and international partners.
International speaker perspectives will be delivered Clinton Hobley, Attaché at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security, will discuss synthetic narcotics in Africa, examining the evolving threat posed by illicit drug markets and transnational trafficking networks.
Andrea Humphrys, Detective Superintendent and Senior Police Attaché – Sub-Saharan Africa at the Australian Federal Police, will examine the influence of South African organised crime on Australia, highlighting the international reach and consequences of criminal networks originating in or operating through South Africa.
The programme will feature Dr Lyle Pienaar, Executive: Risk and Security at Pan African Resources, who will deliver the opening address on “The Cost of Organised Crime to South Africa and its People.”
Christo Bezuidenhout, Deputy Assistant Commissioner at the Border Management Authority (BMA), will address “Beyond Seizures: Disrupting Transnational Organised Crime Through Intelligence, Targeted and Strategic Border Interventions,” focusing on intelligence-driven border security and interventions aimed at disrupting criminal networks.
Major General HF Flynn, Component Head: Serious Organised Crime Investigation at the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), will present “Dismantling TOC Networks – A Practical Approach to Neutralise the Criminality,” providing an operational perspective on investigating and dismantling serious organised crime networks.
From the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Dr Duarte Gonçalves, Principal Engineer in the Defence and Security Cluster, will address critical infrastructure security from a South African perspective, focusing on the protection of essential infrastructure against emerging security threats.
Representing the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Adv Thobeka Phungula, Senior State Advocate: Organised Crime Component, will present “From Foot Soldiers to Kingpins: The NPA’s Shift Towards Prosecuting Syndicate Leaders and Criminal Networks.” The presentation will explore how intelligence-led investigations, strategic partnerships, financial evidence and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act are being used to target those who direct, benefit from and sustain organised criminal enterprises.
Gregory Singh, Head of Department: Threat Management & Stakeholder Engagement at SABRIC, will outline the organisation’s response to addressing organised crime, with emphasis on threat management, collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
Pieter Alberts, Acting Executive Manager: Shared Forensic Capability at the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC), will address “Economic Warfare – Tackling Complex and High-Priority Financial Crimes Through State-Managed Forensic Capabilities,” examining the role of forensic capabilities in addressing sophisticated financial crime.
A high-level panel discussion will bring together Christo Bezuidenhout, Major General HF Flynn, Gregory Singh and Dr Duarte Gonçalves to examine the Organised Crime Strategy, including efforts to dismantle syndicates, secure borders, target criminal enablers, disrupt illicit economies and prioritise critical infrastructure, syndicates and persons of interest.
The programme will conclude with a Core Forensics Workshop, focused on strengthening investigative competencies, information and intelligence management, and the secure sharing of evidence. The workshop will address compliance with relevant policies, procedures and legal requirements, while highlighting best practices for avoiding common errors and ensuring the integrity, reliability and admissibility of forensic evidence.
Together, the speakers and sessions will provide a comprehensive perspective on the evolving organised crime landscape and the collaborative, intelligence-led and forensic approaches required to disrupt criminal networks and protect South Africa’s people, economy and critical infrastructure.
Media & Registration Enquiries:
- Organiser: Pinpoint Stewards
- Website/Registration: www.pinpointstewards.co.za
- Email Contact: info@pinpointstewards.co.za
- Attendance Options: In-person (Indaba Hotel, JHB)
The programme will also feature a technology update and solutions session, showcasing technologies and capabilities available to support the fight against Transnational organised crime.
Exhibit: ankia@pinpointstewards.co.za
