How new SIU boss plans to hunt down political heavyweights and powerful officials one by one

How new SIU boss plans to hunt down political heavyweights and powerful officials one by one. News PoliticsHow new SIU boss plans to hunt down political heavyweights and powerful officials one by oneSimon Majadibodu|Published 23 minutes agoAsk AI 6minNew SIU boss Leonard Lekgetho says the unit will investigate politicians and powerful officials without fear, favour or prejudice.

What happened

Image: Supplied / SIUThe newly appointed Special Investigating Unit (SIU) head, Leonard Lekgetho, has issued a stern warning to politicians and powerful officials, that their status or political affiliation will not protect them from investigation, promising that the corruption-busting unit will act “without fear, favour or prejudice”. Newly appointed Special Investigating Unit (SIU) head Leonard Lekgetho has vowed that the corruption-busting agency will investigate without fear, favour or prejudice, regardless of the political status or affiliation of anyone implicated.

I've been involved and I was responsible for the bigger part of this organisation, which is operations, so it's not going to be a train smash. ”Lekgetho said one of his priorities would be protecting the independence and credibility of the SIU, particularly when politically connected people are implicated. ‘We investigate the processes’“The independence and credibility of the SIU is very fundamental to its effectiveness,” he said. And that decision must be able to withstand public scrutiny. ”Asked whether he had encountered political interference, Lekgetho said: “No, no, we haven't.

We haven't come across political interference. ”He said the unit had systems in place to protect investigators and ensure decisions were not made by individuals acting alone. SIU head Leonard Lekgetho says SIU investigations will follow the evidence, regardless of the political status or affiliation of those implicated. But if that engagement is not working and we don't get co-operation, we have the legal remedy. ”The unit can compel people to provide information and, in cases where officials obstruct investigations, criminal cases can be opened.

The wider picture

“Now we subpoena you to come and appear before us so you can tell us why you are not giving us documents. ”He disclosed that the SIU had recently opened a criminal case against certain officials but declined to identify them. “We need all the people in making sure that we fight corruption,” he said, adding that whistleblowers and officials inside the government also had an important role to play in helping investigators uncover wrongdoing.

We do have a soccer team. ”Despite the demands of his new position, Lekgetho said he had not completely stopped playing the sport. [email protected]IOL PoliticsAsk AIRelated Topics:siusiu findingssiu investigationinvestigatingsouth africacorruption allegationscorruption chargescrime crackdowncrime and courthawks investigationnpa challengesandy mothibiSaturday, September 19, 2026NewsCrime and CourtsSouth AfricaAfricaWorldBRICSEducationEnergyEnvironmentFeel GoodGovernment at WorkOpinionPoliticsOpinionOpinionNewsPoliticsEntertainmentLifestyleTechSportBusinessJobsEconomyPropertyWindow on ChinaHybrid WorkingEntertainmentCelebrity NewsStreamingMoviesMusicBooksWhats OnJoburgDurbanCape TownPretoriaOpinionLifestyleHealthBeautyFashionFoodRelationshipsParentingCompetitionsOpinionTravelLocalInternationalTechSoftware and InternetEsportsOpinionSportSoccerPSLRugbyCricketMMABettingOpinionHorse RacingMotoringReviewsLaunchesIndustry NewsMotorsport Lekgetho issued the warning in an exclusive interview with IOL this week. President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed him as the new head of the SIU effective September 1.

Lekgetho had been acting head of the unit since February, following the departure of Advocate Andy Mothibi, who was appointed National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP). He has spent more than 19 years at the SIU, having joined the organisation in 2007 and rising through several positions to become chief operations officer. He also previously worked as an investigator with the now-defunct Directorate of Special Operations, commonly known as the Scorpions. ‘It took me by shock’Lekgetho said his appointment came as a surprise because he had not expected Mothibi to leave the SIU.

What has been reported

I think all of us, we were not expecting Advocate Mothibi to leave,” he said. “But it was a good shock. . . because in a way we had prepared the organisation. For me, it was easy for me to say, no, I know everything. “My approach is to anchor on the principle that all investigations must be conducted without fear, favour or prejudice, irrespective of the status of the person, or the politician, or affiliation, or implicated person. ”Lekgetho said investigators should focus on processes rather than individuals, allowing evidence to determine who may ultimately be implicated.

Then the process can lead us. ”SIU decisions must be evidence-based and capable of withstanding public scrutiny. “Whatever decision we make, it must be based on evidence. We can't make a decision because it's somebody who is famous or a politician. Image: Supplied / GCISOpen to greater autonomyThe SIU requires a presidential proclamation before it can investigate a matter.

What happens next

Lekgetho, however, said he was open to discussions about legislative reforms that could give the unit greater autonomy. “We are open to that engagement, particularly on legislative reform, if we are to be given that,” he said. However, he defended the current system, saying it provided legal safeguards and checks and balances. “The current system has made sure that we do our work in a really defined legal framework. ”Lekgetho said the SIU itself prepares proclamations and proposed investigations are assessed to ensure they fall within the unit's mandate.

“These are people's rights that we are dealing with here,” he said. Pushback from state institutionsLekgetho acknowledged that SIU investigators sometimes face resistance from government departments, municipalities and other institutions when requesting information. “Our mandate often requires access to information and sometimes we need the records across different spheres of government.