The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is under mounting financial strain due to inadequate funding and unpaid debt exceeding R1 billion owed by the very government departments and entities it investigates, the anti-corruption watchdog has revealed.
The unit’s debt book now stands at over R1 billion, raising serious concerns about its ability to sustain operations and effectively carry out its mandate.
Speaking after a presentation to Parliament, SIU spokesperson Selby Makgotho described the situation as an “old problem” rooted in the unit’s funding model. The SIU currently operates on a partially government-funded grant, with the remainder derived from investigations conducted.
Makgotho explained that the unit is now pushing for a shift toward a “centralised phase” involving a fully funded, 100% government grant. He described this as a medium- to long-term plan that would ensure sustainability and provide a funding model “equivalent to the task at hand.”
Practical Implications for Investigations
When asked about the practical implications of inadequate funding, Makgotho warned that the SIU’s mandate is “likely to be impacted,” with the length of investigations becoming a major issue.
Between 2024 and March 31 this year, the SIU has handled approximately 99 proclamations. Financial challenges threaten to further delay these probes.
However, Makgotho noted a positive development from “Operation Kokela,” launched through the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development. Through this initiative, the SIU has recovered significant funds, growing from R412 million to well over R600 million currently. The unit is confident it will soon exceed the R1 billion threshold.
Collection Difficulties
The main difficulty in recovering owed funds, Makgotho said, is that municipalities and other government entities often lack sufficient available funds to support investigations. Unlike the Auditor-General’s predictable audit seasons, the SIU cannot invite itself into corruption cases — it responds when corruption occurs.
Compounding the problem, officials being investigated — including directors-general, municipal managers, and CFOs — are often uncooperative in processing SIU invoices.
Staffing Plans at Risk
The SIU has ambitious plans to increase its staff from 822 to over 1,000 over the next three years. Makgotho confirmed that this expansion depends entirely on securing the proposed 100% fully funded centralised budget system from National Treasury and the Department of Justice.
The unit, which turns 30 next year, has staggered its hiring plans to prioritise critical services including investigators, forensic analysts, and legal professionals.
“We want to ensure that there is accountability, transparency and proper governance structures across the public sector,” Makgotho said.