Latest news with #SpecialInvestigatingUnit
Eyewitness News
17-07-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Lesufi announces new HODs in administrative shake-up of Gauteng govt
JOHANNESBURG - Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has made some administrative changes to his government, with some heads of departments fired for underperformance and failing lifestyle audits. Lesufi announced the appointments of new HODs for a number of departments during a provincial legislature sitting on Thursday morning. The departments of e-gov, infrastructure, sports, health, social development and education now have new HODs. While three heads of department were fired and others resigned from the provincial government, some were moved to other portfolios. Thirty-seven percent of high-ranking officials in the Gauteng government failed their lifestyle audits, which were conducted by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). Moreover, an internal assessment found that some heads of department were at the centre of mediocre service delivery and questionable payments The province's ethics advisory committee then recommended that Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi crack the whip on incompetent senior officials. "In the last few months, we witnessed displeasing acts of under expenditures to the tune of R1.8 billion, senior members failing lifestyle audits, and underperformance by some departments. We taken a decision to reset government." Albert Chanee will now head the provincial education department, which a forensic report revealed had the highest number of employees accused of unethical conduct.
IOL News
16-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
How the SIU is battling funding challenges and whistle-blower protection
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) officials discuss challenges facing the SIU in fighting corruption and some of the unit's successes as highlighted in the recent research by the ISS. Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Newspapers The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is grappling with serious challenges that threaten its effectiveness in combating corruption. These challenges include ensuring the safety of its personnel and whistle-blowers, a financial squeeze due to an increasing caseload, an inadequate funding model, and an ineffectual debt collection process. The issues are highlighted in a new research by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), conducted in partnership with the SIU, examining the unit's successes and its challenges in combating crime. At a seminar hosted by the ISS in Pretoria on Wednesday, SIU head, Advocate Andy Mothibi, talked about the unit's funding woes, citing an unsustainable model due to state institutions owing over R1 billion. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The SIU's funding consists of a 47% grant from Parliament and 53% from fees for services rendered. However, Mothibi noted that some state institutions are reluctant to settle the resulting invoices, often because senior officials are implicated in investigations. 'As we sit today, the debt from state institutions is well over R1 billion. It is really not acceptable.' He said that occasionally, the institution would arrange for ministers to intervene, resulting in some payments being made, but this approach 'is not sustainable'. He insisted, however, that the unit is currently financially sound. Mothibi emphasised the importance of whistle-blower protection, citing an incident during the Life Esidimeni investigation, where a witness received death threats and was subsequently protected under the National Prosecuting Authority's witness protection programme. He said from a whistle-blower protection standpoint, there is an opportunity for improvement, and the Department of Justice and Development is leading a project to enhance the legislation. He mentioned that the current legislation primarily focuses on employment-related protections, but they aim to broaden it to provide comprehensive whistle-blower protection, including witness protection. David Bruce, a researcher on policing and corruption, suggested a system is needed to prevent government officials implicated in wrongdoing from resigning and landing jobs in other institutions. 'To me, the important thing is that people who are implicated in corruption should not be permitted to continue working for the government,' he said. Colette Ashton, an anti-corruption lawyer, noted that corruption cases are often challenging to prosecute due to witnesses' reluctance to testify and alleged perpetrators using legal and financial secrecy, aided by professional enablers, to conceal evidence. David Lewis from the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Commission stated that the burden of proof in corruption cases can be a significant hurdle, rendering prosecution challenging. 'People weigh up the risk and the potential benefits of engaging in corruption, and eight times out of 10, they conclude that the risk is worth taking because the incidence of successful prosecution is low in every jurisdiction of the world, and that is just a fact we have to face up to,' he said. The ISS investigation into the SIU's work highlighted other key findings, including inadequate systems to enforce recommendations and unnecessary delays in the administrative processing of Presidential proclamations.
The Citizen
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Commission 'necessary to safeguard police inegrity'
"This is particularly important as we seek to put the era of state capture behind us". President Cyril Ramaphosa says it is 'necessary' to establish a commission of inquiry to probe the explosive allegations against Police Minister Senzo Mchunu in order to 'safeguard public confidence in the police service,' and shelve the era of state capture which plagued the country. Addressing the nation on Sunday night, Ramaphosa placed Mchunu on a leave of absence after allegations made against him by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Commission necessary Ramaphosa said the commission would investigate allegations of infiltration of law enforcement, intelligence and associated institutions within the criminal justice system by criminal syndicates. Despite the criticism, Ramaphosa, writing in his weekly newsletter on Monday, said the commission was necessary. 'We have taken this decisive step because we are determined that the important work that has been done to rebuild our law enforcement agencies and security services should not be compromised. 'It is necessary that we establish the facts through an independent, credible and thorough process so that we can safeguard public confidence in the police service. This is particularly important as we seek to put the era of state capture behind us,' Ramaphosa said. ALSO READ: Cameron questions urgency of commission into Mchunu probe Recommendations Ramaphosa said the commission will make findings and recommendations for criminal prosecutions, disciplinary actions and institutional reform. 'Once established, the commission shall consider prima facie evidence relating to the involvement of individuals currently employed within law enforcement or intelligence agencies. 'Where appropriate, the commission must make recommendations on the employment status of such officials, including whether they should be suspended pending the outcome of further investigations,' Ramaphosa said. Rebuilding Ramaphosa said the commission is being established against the backdrop of significant progress in 'rebuilding and strengthening our country's law enforcement agencies and security services.' 'In recent years, the South African Police Service, the Special Investigating Unit, the Asset Forfeiture Unit and other bodies have been making important inroads in the fight against organised crime and corruption. 'It is essential that we maintain this momentum and that we intensify this work,' Ramaphosa said Ramaphosa has called on the South Africans to support the commission in its work and, where appropriate, to provide any information or assistance the commission may require. ALSO READ: Acting police minister: Who is Firoz Cachalia and is he qualified
Eyewitness News
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Ramaphosa establishes 5th commission of inquiry since becoming head of state
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa has established his fifth commission of inquiry since becoming head of state, leading to some opposition parties accusing him of indecisive leadership. On Sunday, Ramaphosa announced he was setting up a judicial commission of inquiry to look into corruption allegations within the top brass of the country's law enforcement agencies. ALSO READ: Ramaphosa puts Mchunu on leave of absence, inquiry to probe Mkhwanazi's allegations This follows bombshell allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of a criminal syndicate embedded in the country's police, judiciary, business and political class. When Ramaphosa became president in 2018, he established three commissions of inquiry. In 2025, he established two. While the state capture commission was established by President Jacob Zuma, it ran entirely under Ramaphosa's presidency. Reactions from political parties have focused on how these commissions have cost the state a lot of money without much return. GOOD Party secretary general Brett Herron said the government already has in-house institutions like the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), whose mandate is to investigate corruption. 'The appointment of a commission of inquiry, while well-intentioned, is too slow, too cumbersome, and too costly. We've walked this road before, most notably with the Zondo commission, and we have seen a commission of inquiry cannot replace a criminal investigation.' Ramaphosa said the South African Police Service (SAPS) commission will have to provide interim reports on the first three and six months of its work.
Daily Maverick
14-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Nelson Mandela Day, critical climate discussions and more events this week in civil society
This week, join a range of events focused on climate justice, anti-corruption, children's rights, and youth empowerment, ending with the annual Nelson Mandela Day Walk and Run on 19 July. On Tuesday, 15 July, at 10am, the Institute for Economic Justice will host a webinar on how South Africa's new Climate Change Act can advance a just transition in the food system. During the webinar, experts will break down key provisions of the act, spotlight advocacy opportunities, and explore how civil society can play a leading role in ensuring climate justice includes food justice. Register for the webinar here. On Wednesday, 16 July, at 10am, the Institute for Security Studies will host a seminar on the Special Investigating Unit's achievements and challenges, and how to secure its future success. 'The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is reputed to be South Africa's most effective anti-corruption agency. New research by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) undertaken in cooperation with the SIU examined the factors associated with its success and the challenges the unit faces in combating corruption. This seminar will discuss key research findings and recommendations for the SIU's future,' the ISS said. Panellists include: On Thursday, 17 July at 1pm, the Dullah Omar Institute's Children's Rights Project will host the first instalment of a webinar series exploring children's rights. The webinar, Children's Rights and Business in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities, aims to build and sustain a focused Africa-wide discourse on the subject. 'The business sector has significant implications for the realisation of children's rights in Africa, both negative and positive. While businesses contribute to beneficial societal outcomes and economic growth in ways that support the realisation of the rights of children, their operations, products and policies can also adversely impact children's rights,' the institute said. Panellists include: Opal Sibanda Chairman Okoloise Nimrod Muhumuza Register for the webinar here. Friday, 18 July is International Nelson Mandela Day, where people, communities and organisations around the world will reflect on Mandela's values to make a positive impact on their communities. Here are the events that will take place in celebration of Nelson Mandela Day: Licebo Harvest will spend the day teaching young people about agriculture and community building on the organisation's farm. The youth will learn how to plant and harvest crops, understand farm management techniques, and get hands-on experience in a real farm setting. To attend, RSVP to Vuyo at 060 469 8725. Maruma Bantfu is running an essay-writing contest to commemorate Mabiba's legacy of social justice, change and unity. Grade 8-12 learners are encouraged to submit 300-500-word essays on the following question: How to create non-violent, harmless and safe communities for children? The winning entry will be announced and celebrated on 18 July 2025. Entries close on 16 July. Learners can submit their essays here. On Friday, 18 July at 12.30pm, Life After Coal will host a webinar on the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The webinar will unpack what the NDC is and how civil society can engage with South Africa's next big climate commitment. Register here. On Saturday, 19 July, the Nelson Mandela Foundation will host the highly anticipated Nelson Mandela Day Walk and Run at Wanderers Stadium. The annual event is dedicated to promoting community service and inspiring positive change within our communities. Venue: DP World Wanderers Stadium, Corlett Drive, Illovo, Sandton, Johannesburg.
