The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is an independent agency of the South African government which investigates

corruption Corruption is a form of dishonesty or a criminal offense which is undertaken by a person or an organization which is entrusted in a position of authority, in order to acquire illicit benefits or abuse power for one's personal gain. Corruption m ...

and maladministration in state institutions. It was first established in July 1997 by President

Nelson Mandela Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (; ; 18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was a South African Internal resistance to apartheid, anti-apartheid activist who served as the President of South Africa, first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1 ...

, although it has not operated continuously since then. As of 2022, the SIU was headed by

Advocate An advocate is a professional in the field of law. Different countries' legal systems use the term with somewhat differing meanings. The broad equivalent in many English law–based jurisdictions could be a barrister or a solicitor. However, ...

Andy Mothibi and had its headquarters in Meyer's Park, Pretoria. Its primary mandate is to provide anti-corruption, forensic investigation, and

litigation - A lawsuit is a proceeding by a party or parties against another in the civil court of law. The archaic term "suit in law" is found in only a small number of laws still in effect today. The term "lawsuit" is used in reference to a civil actio ...

services to combat corruption, serious malpractice, and maladministration in state institutions. It therefore not only investigates cases but also is empowered to take civil action to correct wrongdoing which it uncovers, including by recovering financial losses suffered by the state. It also has the power to subpoena witnesses, bank statements, and cellphone records; powers of search and seizure; and power to interrogate witnesses under oath. However, it is required to refer evidence of criminal conduct to the

National Prosecuting Authority The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) is the agency of the South African government responsible for state prosecutions. Under Section 179 of the Constitution and the National Prosecuting Authority Act of 1998, which established the NPA in 1 ...

History

It is an independent

statutory body A statutory body or statutory authority is a body set up by law (statute) that is authorised to implement certain legislation on behalf of the relevant country or state, sometimes by being empowered or delegated to set rules (for example reg ...

under South Africa's Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act No. 74 of 1996. It was established on 14 July 1997 by Presidential Proclamation R24 of 1997, signed by

to enact that law. Its mandate was to investigate serious malpractice or maladministration in connection with the administration of state institutions, assets, or money, as well as any conduct which may seriously harm the interests of the public. Although it was intended to be a temporary body, it continued its anti-corruption work until dissolved by a 2001 Constitutional Court ruling. It was re-established after legislative amendments were made to address the Court's complaints. Under President

Jacob Zuma Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma (; born 12 April 1942) is a South African politician who served as the fourth president of South Africa from 2009 to 2018. He is also referred to by his initials JZ and clan name Msholozi, and was a former anti-aparth ...

, the agency was part of the government's multi-disciplinary Anti-Corruption Task Team. In 2019, the Special Tribunal was established to hear civil litigation matters arising from SIU investigations, including on asset forfeiture, meaning that the SIU no longer has to institute such matters in the mainstream

high courts High may refer to: Science and technology * Height * High (atmospheric), a high-pressure area * High (computability), a quality of a Turing degree, in computability theory * High (tectonics), in geology an area where relative tectonic uplift to ...

References

{{Reflist

External links

Website

''Mail & Guardian'' archives
Government of South Africa

History

See also

References

External links