Stories from UNODC Southern Africa

UN Secretary-General calls for action by all to end scourge of corruption

New York - In his message on the International Anti-Corruption Day 2011, United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, emphasises that corruption affects everybody and every country and that it is everybody's responsibility to take action against the cancer of corruption.... More

SADC and UNODC to make region safer from drugs and crime

Pretoria - From 15-16 November, 51high-level experts, designated by the governments of SADC Member States, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and SADC-Secretariat, were hosted by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation of the Republic of South Africa in Pretoria to discuss the final draft of the Joint SADC-UNODC Regional Programme, aimed at making the SADC region safer from drugs and crime. After their deliberations and several additions to the draft, the delegates unanimously endorsed the Regional Programme.... More

ATS: Second most used drug-type in the world

According to the latest report published by UNODC, amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) such as ecstasy and methamphetamine now rank as the world's second most widely used type of drug after cannabis. The report - the 2011 Global ATS Assessment - notes that ATS continue to pose major threat to health and security world wide and in Southern Africa. ... More

UNODC and World Bank Group launch new Anti-Corruption Legal Library with legislation from 178 States

01 September - As governments worldwide, through their prosecuting and law enforcement agencies, strengthen their efforts to combat corruption, a new tool is launched today, the UNCAC Legal Library. Co-founded by the Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative, a joint programme of the World Bank Group and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) Legal Library supports asset recovery and anti-corruption efforts and assists in implementing legislation which supports anti-corruption and asset recovery... More

 

Inaugural UNODC Southern Africa Newsletter released

To read the editorial and download the first volume click here

World Drug Report launched in Pretoria

Pretoria - On Monday 27 June, Mr. Mandiaye Niang, the new Regional Representative of UNODC Southern Africa, presented the 2011 World Drug Report at an official launch at the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Pretoria.

The World Drug Report is an annual publication providing comprehensive facts and figures on the global drug situation with respect to the supply and demand for illicit drugs. It has been recognised as presenting one of the most comprehensive pictures of the international drug problem and is a primary global tool in monitoring the collective fight against illicit drugs.

The event  was opened by Prof. Molamu, Registrar of UNISA, UNODC Regional Representative Mandiaye Niang presented the key findings of the 2011 World Drug Report with a focus on Africa and the South African Central Drug Authority  presented on the South African situation... More

International Day Against Substance Abuse and Illicit Trafficking commemorated in Sasolburg

Sasolburg - June 26 is the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Every year, since it was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987, this day serves as a reminder of the goals agreed to by Member States of creating an international society free of drug abuse.

Communities affected by drug abuse and illicit trafficking were at the centre of this year's commemoration in South Africa in the township of Zamdela by Sasolburg in the Free State Province... More

SADC and UNODC to address threats posed by crime and drugs together

Gaborone - 19 April 2011

In order to address current and evolving security and development threats posed by crime and drugs in Southern Africa, a new joint initiative by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and UNODC proposes the development of a joint Regional Programme.... More

INCB Annual Report for 2010 identifies global, regional and local trends in narcotics production, trafficking and use

Pretoria - 4 March 2011

The era of globalization has brought about profound changes in almost all spheres of life, positive, like technological innovations, but also negative. This dark side of globalization, according to Prof. Makhanya, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of South Africa (UNISA), can be observed everywhere locally, for example in Sunnyside in Pretoria where drugs are readily available, regionally and globally. Developments like this and others are reported upon by the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) in its Annual Report 2010.... More

Anti-Corruption Day 2010

On 9 December 2003 the General Assembly of the United Nations established the International Anti-Corruption  Day, which is to be celebrated annually on this day, in order to raise awareness of corruption and of the role of the United Nations Convention against Corruption  in combating and preventing it. The Convention entered into force in December 2005 and now has 148 Parties. It is the only comprehensive global instrument designed to assist States in preventing and combating corruption in the public sector, the private sector and civil society.... More

Access to HIV services is a right for drug users

1 December 2010 - An estimated 16 million people across the world inject drugs, with over two-fifths, or around 3 million people, of these living with HIV. In countries where comprehensive models for the delivery of HIV services have been adopted, and where communities have been enabled to provide evidence-informed and human rights-based HIV services on a larger scale, remarkable results have been achieved in decreasing the number of newly diagnosed HIV infections. .... More

Final Expert Group Meeting to draft In-depth Training Manual on Investigating and Prosecuting Migrant Smuggling held in Pretoria

26 January 2011 - Pretoria - From 18 January to 20 January 2011 the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office Southern Africa hosted the final Expert Group Meeting (EGM) for the drafting of an In-depth Training Manual on Investigating and Prosecuting the Smuggling of Migrants in Pretoria, South Africa. Read more..

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UNODC celebrates the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence


9 December 2010. Every year UNODC supports the South Africa's Government to celebrate the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence by conducting a series of events to raise awareness on the issue of violence against women and children.
Since 1999, under the Austrian and Japanese Governments funded projects, "Establishment of a One Stop Center to Counteract Violence against Women and Children", and in partnership with the Department of Social Development of South Africa, Read More..

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UNODC train master trainers on effective police responses to Violence against Women in the Southern Africa Region

 

29 November 2010 - Gender-based violence is a worldwide problem, though the scourge is particularly difficult to eradicate in Africa, where an unhealthy mix of tradition, inequality and even ignorance conspires against women. In order to remember and raise awareness on the plight of the victims of this violence, the UN General Assembly designated 25 November the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. In the years since its formation, the international day has been a critical time for Governments, international organisations and NGOs to organise activities designed to raise public awareness of violence against women as well as to seek solutions to eradicate persistent discrimination against women. Read More..