ISS/Amelia Broodryk

Published on 15 July 2025 in Research / Policy Briefs

By
David Bruce
Independent Researcher and ISS Consultant
Colette Ashton
Research Consultant, Justice and Violence Prevention Programme, ISS Pretoria
Cheryl Frank
Project Manager, Anti-Corruption and Accountability Project, ISS
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The future of South Africa’s Special Investigating Unit

Short-term legal reforms could boost the SIU’s successful anti-corruption record and expand its role in corruption prevention.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is one of South Africa’s most effective anti-corruption agencies. It has a good civil litigation track record, an organisational culture of excellence and is supported by a dedicated Special Tribunal. Given the large scale of corruption in the country, several reforms could further strengthen the unit. The research for this policy brief was undertaken in cooperation with the SIU.


About the authors

David Bruce is a researcher on policing, criminal justice and corruption and an ISS Consultant. Colette Ashton is an ISS Research Consultant and anti-corruption lawyer. Cheryl Frank is the Project Manager of the ISS Anti-Corruption and Accountability Project.

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Development partners
This policy brief was funded by the UK International Development from the UK government; however, the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the UK government’s official policies. The ISS is also grateful for support from the members of the ISS Partnership Forum: the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the European Union, the Open Society Foundations and the governments of Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
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