Special Investigating Unit joins forces in preventing corruption through data analytics
2 July 2024
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has entered into memorandums of understanding (MoU) with the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Anti-Corruption Coalition (ACC), the Transparency, Integrity, and Accountability Programme (TIP) of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH to join forces in preventing corruption through data analytics.
The signing of the MoUs was attended by the Head of the SIU, Adv. Andy Mothibi, Valieta Barnard from the National Treasury, Valeska Onken from the GIZ and Dr Wendy Orr from GIBS, along with members of their respective teams who will be involved in the work stemming from the MoUs.
Speaking during the signing ceremony held at SIU offices in Meyerspark, Head of SIU, Adv. Andy Mothibi highlighted that this is the first collaboration of its kind in the space of digital and AI-based anti-corruption interventions in South Africa. “Through these partnerships, the SIU will embark on statistical research efforts, proactive strengths and risk exposures, sector-based data analysis, awareness and advisory initiatives, capacity building, and integrating data analytics and predictive analysis into the institutions’ risk management systems,” he explained.
Adv Mothibi went on to say that the SIU aims to take a leading role in South Africa to prevent and combat maladministration, fraud, and corruption by focusing on societal values and systems that make it difficult to engage in acts of impropriety. “To achieve this, the SIU must direct strategic decision-making processes and drive prevention activities through data analysis. This will provide the SIU with a competitive market advantage and long-term sustainability,” he said.