President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Leonard Lekgetho as the permanent head of the Special Investigating Unit, with the appointment taking effect on Tuesday, 1 September.
Lekgetho has led the SIU in an acting capacity since February, after advocate Andy Mothibi left the anti-corruption agency to become National Director of Public Prosecutions.
The Presidency said Lekgetho brings extensive investigative and management experience to the post. He has worked at the SIU for about two decades and has held roles ranging from investigator and project manager to chief national investigations officer and chief operating officer.
He also previously worked as an investigator in the former Directorate of Special Operations, commonly known as the Scorpions.
Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Ramaphosa wished Lekgetho and the SIU leadership well as he takes charge of an institution that forms part of South Africa’s criminal-justice response to corruption and organised wrongdoing.
The SIU investigates maladministration and the misuse of public money under proclamations signed by the president. Its civil-recovery work is separate from criminal prosecution, although evidence of suspected crimes may be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority or other law-enforcement bodies.
Lekgetho’s permanent appointment gives the unit leadership continuity after Mothibi’s move to the NPA. It comes as the SIU continues investigations across national, provincial and municipal government, public entities and state-owned companies.
