15-05-2025
MPs mull proposal for SIU to be merged into independent body
CAPE TOWN - The National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council (NACAC) is suggesting the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) be merged into a new, independent body it proposes be called the Office of Public Integrity.
Like many other African countries, which have anti-corruption commissions, the council established by the president thinks South Africa should do the same.
On Wednesday, NACAC briefed Parliament's justice committee on changes being mooted to the country's anti-corruption architecture, and how this differs from a private member's bill introduced by the Democratic Alliance, Glynis Breytenbach, for the establishment of a Chapter 9 anti-corruption body. The second phase of its work, before wrapping up its three-year term in August, NACAC said it doesn't believe a single body is capable of fighting corruption. The council's David Lewis said it's weighing up whether setting up a constitutional body under chapter 9 would delay the establishment of an agency that can deal with systemic corruption in the country.
"Can this SIU be strengthened in such a way as to enable it to carry out already a large number of the functions that we're recommending should be undertaken by this body, so as to short-circuit the way of establishing the institution."
