MPs mull proposal for SIU to be merged into independent body
On Wednesday, NACAC briefed Parliament's justice committee on changes being mooted to the country’s anti-corruption architecture.
FILE: SIU head, Adv Andy Mothibi, appears before a parliamentary committee. Picture: @RSASIU/X
CAPE TOWN - The National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council (NACAC) is suggesting the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) be merged into a new, independent body it proposes be called the Office of Public Integrity.
Like many other African countries, which have anti-corruption commissions, the council established by the president thinks South Africa should do the same.
On Wednesday, NACAC briefed Parliament's justice committee on changes being mooted to the country’s anti-corruption architecture, and how this differs from a private member’s bill introduced by the Democratic Alliance, Glynis Breytenbach, for the establishment of a Chapter 9 anti-corruption body.
The second phase of its work, before wrapping up its three-year term in August, NACAC said it doesn’t believe a single body is capable of fighting corruption.
The council's David Lewis said it's weighing up whether setting up a constitutional body under chapter 9 would delay the establishment of an agency that can deal with systemic corruption in the country.
"Can this SIU be strengthened in such a way as to enable it to carry out already a large number of the functions that we're recommending should be undertaken by this body, so as to short-circuit the way of establishing the institution."
READ: SIU welcomes establishment of overarching anti-corruption body in SA
Unlike the proposal by the DA's Breytenbach, Lewis said the council believes the investigation and prosecution of corruption should remain the job of the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority, respectively.
Breytenbach said she's open to engaging on the best and quickest way to establish a new anti-corruption body.
"The National Prosecuting Authority is not succeeding in prosecuting top-level corruption, money laundering and organised crime."
NACAC is proposing that the Office of Public Integrity have the power to initiate its investigations, without a proclamation from the president, as is the case with the SIU.