In October 2001, the FATF expanded its mandate to incorporate efforts to combat terrorist financing. That was in addition to money laundering.  In April 2012, it added efforts to counter the financing of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Since its inception, the FATF has operated under a fixed life-span, requiring a specific decision by its Ministers to continue.  Three decades after its creation, in April 2019,  the FATF Ministers adopted a new, open-ended mandate for the FATF.

The objectives of the FATF are to set certain standards and promote effective implementation of regulatory, legal, and operational measures for combating terrorist financing, money laundering and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. Starting with its own members, the FATF monitors countries’
– progress in implementing the FATF Recommendations;
– reviews money laundering and terrorist financing techniques and counter-measures;
– promotes the adoption and implementation of the FATF Recommendations globally;

•  South Africa has made good progress in developing its system for the financing of terrorism (FT) and combating money laundering (ML) since its last FATF mutual evaluation in 2003.
• The money laundering offence is generally in line with the Vienna and Palermo Conventions, although a lack of comprehensive statistics makes it difficult to assess effectiveness.  Provisions criminalising the financing of terrorism are comprehensive, although they are not yet tested in practice.
• The Financial Intelligence Centre (“the Centre”) is an effective financial intelligence unit.
• The confiscation scheme is comprehensive and utilises effective civil forfeiture measures.  Since 2003, South Africa has also adopted mechanisms to freeze terrorist-related assets.

Crypto Assets?

South Africa has been at the forefront of exploring cryptocurrencies and via the IFWG (intergovernmental fintech working group) we have a robust approach to regulation, allowing a business to operate with oversight but not stifling the industry. Depending on whether the latest FATF recommendations are ratified, we may just pass with flying colours! – Gareth Grobler, CEO iCE3X

And more from the protocol…

How effectively are countries tackling #moneylaundering #terroristfinancing? Explore an up-to-date overview of the countries assessed sofar.
👉 https://t.co/tKPkLsyQcp pic.twitter.com/QVzPZOJVLT

— FATF (@FATFNews) August 2, 2019

• The FIC Act imposes customer due diligence, suspicious transaction reporting and internal control requirements and record keeping.  It should be noted that, after the FIC Act came into force, South Africa implemented a program to re-identify all existing customers.  However, the issue of beneficial ownership has not yet been addressed and South Africa also needs to adopt measures dealing with correspondent banking and politically exposed persons (PEPs).
• The FIC Act covers some designated non-financial businesses and professions (DNFBPs); however, South Africa needs to broaden the legislation to cover dealers in company service providers, precious metals and stones, and more broadly cover accountants.
• At the time of the on-site visit, there were not adequate powers to enforce and supervise compliance with AML/CFT provisions, however, amendments to FIC Act have been enacted, and when they enter into force this year they will significantly enhance the compliance regime.
• South African authorities have established effective mechanisms to co-operate on operational matters to combat FT and ML.  South Africa can also provide a wide range of mutual legal assistance, including the possibility to extradite its own nationals.