Investigating corruption in South Africa: cooperation or conflict?

Problems with the Hawks’ corruption investigations are considered, and how the NPA’s Investigating Directorate will impact their work.

The Hawks are supposed to be the principal body for investigating corruption in South Africa. But their performance has been lacking. In March 2019, President Ramaphosa announced the creation of a new Investigating Directorate in the National Prosecuting Authority to investigate serious corruption. This report examines key problems with the investigation of corruption by the Hawks and the implications of the new investigating directorate for its future.

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.

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