South Africa Names New Head of Special Investigating Unit

By Mintesinot Nigussie  |  September 2, 2026

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Leonard Gaoretelelwe Lekgetho as the permanent head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), ending a seven-month period in which he served in an acting capacity.

Lekgetho’s appointment takes effect on September 1, 2026, under section 3(1)(a) of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act of 1996.

He succeeds Andy Mothibi, who left the SIU leadership on February 1 to become National Director of Public Prosecutions. Lekgetho was subsequently appointed acting head and has now been given a permanent mandate, which the presidency said would help provide stability to the agency and sustain its work against crime and corruption.

Lekgetho has spent 19 years at the SIU, joining the agency in 2007 and serving in several roles spanning investigations and operations. He currently serves as chief operations officer and previously worked as an investigator at the former Directorate of Special Operations.

He holds degrees in law, education and science, as well as a diploma in forensic auditing and a postgraduate diploma in cyber law.

The SIU is an independent statutory body responsible for investigating serious allegations of corruption, malpractice and maladministration involving state institutions, public assets and public funds. It can also bring civil proceedings to recover financial losses suffered by state institutions and take action to correct wrongdoing uncovered through its investigations.

Ramaphosa said the SIU remains a critical part of South Africa’s criminal justice system in tackling crime and corruption, and wished Lekgetho and the agency’s leadership and staff well in his new role.

Source: FSX Business News