SIU: Striking Against Corruption

By Raine St.Claire

Established in 1996, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been a beacon in anti-corruption efforts, forensic investigations, and litigation, with a primary mandate to scrutinise allegations of corruption across the state institutions of South Africa.

Landmark Ruling: SIU’s Legal Triumph Establishes anti-corruption Precedent During The 2022/23 Financial Year

The SIU was at the forefront of significant legal matters. In a groundbreaking ruling, the Constitutional Court found that, while not a court, the Special Tribunal still holds the jurisdiction and powers to adjudicate reviews brought by the SIU and to grant orders setting aside unlawful procurement contracts awarded by State institutions. The Constitutional Court judgement sets a precedent that corruption will not be tolerated, and the SIU will continue to ‘strike against corruption.’

Proactive Initiatives and Financial Recoveries

Demonstrating a proactive approach, the SIU pursued cases to set aside contracts valued at R1.6-billion, successfully recovering funds under various proclamations. This included cases related to the South African Police, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and the UIF Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (Covid-19 TERS), EOH Holdings and companies accused of corruption, malpractice, maladministration, and irregularities in the procurement of goods and services by State institutions in response to Covid-19.

In a significant ruling, the Special Tribunal annulled PPE tenders worth R172-million that Tenderpreneur Hamilton Ndlovu fraudulently secured from the National Health Laboratory Services. The judgement ordered Ndlovu and associated companies to repay R158-million with interest.

Increasing Demand for SIU Services

The SIU’s impactful work has generated an increased demand for its services across all government spheres and Parliament. Lifestyle audits of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) senior management staff were successfully executed in response to a request from the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure.

State Capture Investigations

State Capture investigations continue to be a focal point, with ongoing probes into Transnet, Eskom, Denel, Prasa, SAA, and Alexkor, as flagged by the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. Additionally, the SIU has taken legal action in the High Court to nullify contracts valued at R54.5-billion concluded at Transnet.

Rebranding with Enhanced Communication Strategy

In an effort to strengthen stakeholder relations and public trust, the SIU introduced a revised logo and motto in the 2022/2023 financial year. The new motto, “Striking against corruption,” perfectly aligns with the agency’s unwavering commitment. The revamped communication strategy has garnered praise for setting a standard in government social media accounts, showcasing the SIU’s dedication to transparency and effective public engagement.

Protecting Whistleblowers and Advancing Global Anti-Graft

Protection of whistleblowers remains a priority, and the SIU collaborates with relevant law enforcement agencies and the Department of Justice to fortify t his crucial area. The focus on corruption prevention involves developing a comprehensive Corruption-Prevention Framework, incorporating a Corruption Risk-Management Framework, Data-Analytics Programme and other strategic initiatives.

Acknowledging the global nature of corruption, the SIU actively engages in international collaborations beyond South African borders, recognising the importance of learning from and expanding its reach through partnerships with various organisations on the international stage.

In an effort to strengthen stakeholder relations and public trust, the SIU introduced a revised logo and motto in the 2022/2023 financial year. The new motto, “Striking against corruption,” perfectly aligns with the agency’s unwavering commitment. The revamped communication strategy has garnered praise for setting a standard in government social media accounts, showcasing the SIU’s dedication to transparency and effective public engagement.

The focus on corruption prevention involves developing a comprehensive Corruption-Prevention Framework, incorporating a Corruption Risk-Management Framework, Data-Analytics Programme and other strategic initiatives.

Acknowledging the global nature of corruption, the SIU actively engages in international collaborations beyond South African borders, recognising the importance of learning from and expanding its reach through partnerships with various organisations on the international stage.

Putting a Tech-Savvy Spin On Crime Fighting

Over the last 25 years, the SIU has journeyed towards realising its vision of becoming the State’s preferred and trusted agency for anti-fraud measures, criminal investigation and legal proceedings. But, with history comes outdated technology and inefficiencies. Something an entity like the SIU can not afford.

Utilising advanced technology as part of its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Strategy, the approach involves strengthening infrastructure, streamlining processes, eliminating redundancies and digitising the SIU’s operations to combat corruption effectively.

In this journey, the SIU embraces innovation driven by technologies like cloud computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). A significant part of this transformation is the introduction of a powerful Data Analytics and Data Warehousing capability, aiming to enhance investigative practices with targeted and data-driven approaches. The SIU positions itself as a leader in the national fight against fraud and corruption by collaborating with state institutions to prevent and address reported cases.

Recognising the importance of staying current in the digital landscape, the SIU provides investigators with secure access to internal systems, promoting a flexible “work from anywhere” culture. In this pursuit, the SIU employs innovative tools and strategies to uphold the integrity of state institutions in the ongoing battle against corruption.

Integrating Technology for More Effective Law Enforcement

To advance digital capabilities and enhance efficiency, SIU’s Chief Information Officer, Tumelo Zwane, along with her team, upgraded the unit’s communication and collaboration technologies. This transformation has firmly established the SIU as a digitally proficient organisation, now operating on a widely-adopted agile platform. The update ensures that the unit’s communication tools align with industry standards, contributing significantly to improved overall efficiency and productivity. Notably, this enhancement is reflected in investigations, resulting in reduced turnaround times and a more effective response to the SIU’s mandate.

SIU Enhances Cybercrime Fight wiTh Interpol Partnership

The SIU in South Africa has strengthened its investigative capabilities through a recent agreement with Interpol National Crime Bureau. This provides exclusive access to Interpol’s Information System, aiding in combating cybercrime. The collaboration includes training resources from Interpol NCB and fosters relationships between local and international law enforcement. This initiative is timely given the rising cybercrime concerns in South Africa, showcasing effective online crime-fighting efforts. The collaboration signifies a promising step forward in addressing evolving challenges posed by cybercrime.

Source :SIU |SIU Annual Performance Plan2023/2024 | IOL