Accountability for corruption: the role of the Special Investigating Unit

The Special Investigating Unit occupies a somewhat paradoxical position in the South African anti-corruption architecture.

Before March 2017, when the new investigating directorate on serious, high-profile or complex corruption was established in the National Prosecuting Authority, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) was South Africa’s only dedicated anti-corruption agency. But despite the major role it plays in investigating corruption, there has been little analysis or debate about it. This report analyses the SIU, focusing on how to strengthen the role of the unit in addressing corruption.

About the author
David Bruce is an independent researcher on policing, crime and criminal justice. His work includes a number of reports on corruption and investigative systems to address it. He has a Master’s degree from the University of the Witwatersrand and is a visiting research fellow at the Wits School of Governance.

Picture: Amelia Broodryk/ISS