President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially appointed Leonard Gaoretelelwe Lekgetho as the permanent head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), cementing leadership stability at South Africa’s premier anti-corruption agency.
The presidency announced that the appointment will take effect tomorrow, 1 September 2026. Lekgetho takes the helm of the accountability body on a permanent basis after leading it in an acting capacity since 1 February 2026.
He originally stepped up to manage the interim vacancy created when former head Advocate Andy Mothibi vacated the post to take over as the country’s new National Director of Public Prosecutions.
Lekgetho brings deep institutional memory to the agency, boasting more than two decades of direct service within the SIU structure. Over his 20-year tenure, he has risen steadily through the ranks, accumulating specialized operational knowledge by serving in critical roles including Chief Forensic Investigator, Project Manager, and Chief Operations Officer.
His investigative career also includes a foundational stint as a special investigator for the now defunct Directorate of Special Operations, commonly known as the Scorpions.
Academically, the newly appointed SIU boss possesses a diverse portfolio designed for complex forensic environments. He holds qualifications spanning law, science, and education, which are further supplemented by specialized post-graduate diplomas in forensic auditing and cyber law.
The presidency expressed strong confidence in Lekgetho’s ability to maintain the momentum of the unit’s high profile corruption probes.
Given his extensive operational background, public accountability analysts view his permanent appointment as a vital move to ensure structural continuity and uninterrupted enforcement as the SIU continues its crackdown on public sector graft and municipal mismanagement across the country.