The Commissioner of Police, Commissioner Dinah Marathe, has called for stronger regional cooperation to combat cross-border mineral-related crimes. She highlighted that organised criminal networks are increasingly targeting mineral supply chains linked to the global clean energy transition.

She made the call recently in Gaborone, when she officially opened the Southern Africa Regional Workshop on Combating Mineral Crime, facilitated by the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Commissioner Marathe said the growing demand for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, diamonds and gold has heightened the risk of illegal mining, smuggling, corruption and money laundering across the region. “Mineral crimes are increasingly translating into transnational organised crime.”

Furthermore, she called for law enforcement organisations in the region to identify any regulatory and coordination gaps that criminals could take advantage of.

She underscored the need for stronger intelligence sharing, joint investigations and collaboration among law enforcement agencies, customs authorities and financial intelligence units throughout the region. The Commissioner further urged participants to translate workshop discussions into implementable actions to safeguard the region’s wealth.

For her part, Senior Officer, Public Security, SADC Secretariat, Ms Kealeboga Moruti, reiterated the importance of collaboration among member states in addressing mineral crimes. “Our strength lies in unity because crime knows no borders.”

She added that sustained cooperation among law enforcement agencies is essential in effectively tackling cross-border criminal networks.

The three-day workshop was supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Government of Japan. It brings together regional law enforcement agencies and regulators to strengthen strategies against mineral crimes.