Ramaphosa appoints Leonard Lekgetho as new SIU chief

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Leonard Lekgetho to head the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) permanently.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Leonard Lekgetho as new head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), effective from Tuesday, September 1.

Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya confirmed his appointment on Monday.

Ramaphosa has made the appointment in terms of section 3(1)(a) of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act of 1996 (SIU Act).

Lekgetho has been acting head of the SIU since February, when Advocate Andy Mothibi left the position to become the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).

Magwenya said Lekgetho’s permanent appointment seeks to secure the stability of the unity and its ongoing impact in the fight against crime.

“The Special Investigating Unit is an independent statutory body established in terms of the SIU Act.”

The primary mandate of the SIU is to investigate serious allegations of corruption, malpractice and maladministration in the administration of State institutions, State assets and public money as well as any conduct which may seriously harm the interests of the public, and to recover any financial losses suffered by State institutions through civil litigation.

The SIU is empowered to take civil action to correct any wrongdoing it uncovers in its investigations.

Lekgetho has served over 19 years in the SIU, during which he served in several portfolios, rising to his current portfolio of Chief Operations Officer.

He also served as an investigator of the now defunct Directorate of Special Operations, also known as the Scorpions.

Lekgetho holds degrees in law, education and science, a diploma in forensic auditing and a post-graduate diploma in cyber law.

Magwenya added, “President Ramaphosa wishes Mr Lekgetho and the leadership and staff of the SIU well as Mr Lekgetho assumes leadership of an agency that is a critical component of the criminal justice architecture against crime and corruption.”