Knowledge sharing is key to fighting crime

Industries can make a difference in fighting crime if they work together to set norms and standards for themselves. This was the message from forensic investigator Bakkies Buitendach of FRG Forensic Solutions at the fist Fraud Forum organised by the Road Freight Association (RFA) in Johannesburg recently. Buitendach told delegates there was much power in companies sharing information with each other be it about crimes that had occurred or even which employees to avoid. “In a forum you as an association can set norms and standards that you all follow. It can be as simple as deciding what the specific requirements are to enter your yards, or as complex as developing a database including all aspects of crime and fraud. This would range from how much diesel has been stolen, who are bad drivers, what losses have been incurred due to pilferage and theft to where the hijackings are taking place and what the modus operandi is. The power is in your hands.” He said the major advantage criminals had was knowledge. “They know your soft spots and targets before they pounce. If you share your experiences you are improving your – own knowledge base – and knowledge is power.” He said it was important to create an industry benchmark of sorts when it came to dealing with crime. “In other words, what is acceptable for you as an industry when it comes to your drivers – what are the requirements before employing someone. Instead of each company doing their own thing, if you set an industry benchmark you are already improving the standard of drivers employed.” Citing the example of a truck hijacked in Germiston, Buitendach said after looking at the docket it became clear the driver had been involved and had actually handed over the cargo to the criminals. “No system is fool-proof and it is therefore important that you as industry take control and ownership of your businesses and work together to bring about change.” He said while many people considered the SAPS incapable, it was important to rather nurture relationships with investigators and to bring them on board by including them in association discussion. “A forum like this is ideal for you to get to know the police by inviting them to attend. Work with them rather than against them.” According to Sharmini Naidoo, RFA CEO, the fraud forum is intended to become a regular feature on the RFA calendar. “We believe that it is important to have a forum such as this where we can facilitate discussion not just about fraud, but crimes in general that affect the businesses of our members.”