The State’s preferred and trusted anti-corruption, forensic investigation and litigation agency.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Question1: What is the mandate of the SIU?

Answer: The mandate of the SIU is to

  • Investigate serious malpractices or maladministration relating to state institutions, state assets and public money;
  • Any conduct which may seriously harm the interests of the public; and
  • Establish a Special tribunal to hear civil matters.

Question 2: Who is the SIU currently investigating?

Answer: Refer to the investigating Tab for a list of active proclamations.

Question 3: Why does it take so long to investigate cases?

Answer: The length of an investigation is determined by a number of factors including, amongst others, availability of information and documents, complexity of matters investigated, availability of witnesses, scope of the terms of reference as listed in the schedule to the Proclamation, and availability of resources and budget etc.

Question 4: If an incident of corruption happened three years ago, can it be reported now?

Answer: Yes.

Question 5: Are whistle blowers protected by the SIU?

Column: 2

Answer: Yes. The SIU adheres to the provisions of the protected Disclosures Act, No.26 of 2000. Whistleblowers’ identities are kept confidential.

Question 6: Who investigates the SIU?

Answer: The SIU is audited by the Auditor General South Africa and is accountable to the National Assembly through the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development. (SIU also appears before SCOPA). The SIU also has an Audit Committee Risk Management, Human Resource and Information Technology Governance Committees .There are also internal whistle blowing mechanisms handled by the Internal Integrity Unit (IIU).

Question 7: In case where the President is implicated like the Nkandla matter; does the report still go to the president?

Answer: In terms of the SIU Act, the SIU is required to submit a final report to President upon the conclusion of an investigation. The Nkandla report, like any other final report, was submitted to the President. The president made Nkandla report public and may be accessed via the internet.

Question 8: What is the difference between the SIU and the Public Protector?

Answer:

SIUPublic Protector

Recover and prevent financial losses to the state caused by acts of corruption, fraud and maladministration.

  • Investigate serious malpractices, maladministration and corruption in connection with the administration of State Institutions.
  • To take appropriate and effective civil action against wrongdoers.
  • Assist in bringing wrongdoers to book, through misconduct proceedings/hearings and criminals prosecutions.

To strengthen constitution democracy by:

  • Investigation and redressing improper and prejudicial conduct and Maladministration and abuse of power in state affairs.
  • Resolving administrative disputes or rectifying any act or omission in administrative conduct through mediation, conciliation or negotiation.
  • Advising on appropriate remedies or employing any other expedient means;
  • Reporting and recommending; advising and investigation violations of the Executive Members Ethics Act of 1994
  • Resolving disputes relating to the operation of the Promotion of Access to Information Act of 2000,
  • Discharging other responsibilities as mandated by legislation.
 
Question 9: What powers does SIU have to access personal information of people in terms of banking records; telephone records required for the investigation?

Answer: The SIU Section 5(2) (a) (b) and (c) – It allows the SIU to subpoena institutions, bank accounts from people and, cell phone records.

The State's preferred and trusted anti-corruption, forensic investigation and litigation agency

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SIU Hotline

Blow the whistle against corruption
click whistleblowing (TheHotLine) to send an email.
SIU Hotline: 0800 037 774

The SIU will protect all whistle-blowers

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