Parliament is calling for stronger lifestyle audits and the empowerment of investigators to act without any political interference.
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South Africa’s fight against corruption could be heading for a significant shift, with Parliament calling for urgent legal reforms to strengthen lifestyle audits across the public service and give investigators more power to act without political gatekeeping.
The Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration has backed proposals to expand the mandate of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), allowing it to conduct lifestyle audits across government departments routinely, rather than waiting for presidential proclamations or departmental requests.
The move comes amid growing concern that while lifestyle audits are increasingly being implemented, they are not yet delivering consistent accountability or consequences.
Committee Chairperson Jan de Villiers said lifestyle audits remain one of the most effective tools available to detect corruption, but warned that their current application is falling short.
“Lifestyle audits are a crucial tool to identify and stop corruption. We acknowledged the improvement in uptake, but there is still room for improvement,” he said.
The committee's position signals a shift from merely conducting audits to ensuring they result in real investigations and sanctions. Members emphasised that audits must “go beyond mere compliance” and instead serve as an active enforcement mechanism.
During the briefing, the SIU presented its National Corruption Risk Management and Prevention Framework, which outlines a more proactive approach to identifying corruption risks, including vetting and lifestyle audits.
A key recommendation was for the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) to introduce a blanket proclamation enabling the SIU to conduct audits across high-risk departments without delay.
De Villiers supported the proposal, arguing that giving the SIU independent authority would fundamentally change how corruption is detected.
“This will ensure that all departments are automatically and annually scrutinised by the SIU. Corruption can then be identified continuously,” he said.
Data presented to the committee shows that lifestyle audits are gaining traction across government. In 2025, more than 90% of departments were conducting audits among senior management, while uptake among non-senior public servants exceeded 160,000 cases.
But the numbers also reveal a system struggling to convert detection into accountability.
Only 44% of identified cases were finalised and resulted in sanctions last year, highlighting a gap between identifying wrongdoing and enforcing consequences.
Committee members raised concerns about weak follow-through, limited verification processes, and the inconsistent use of financial records such as bank statements.
They also questioned whether accounting officers are acting on findings and whether coordination with law enforcement agencies is strong enough to support prosecutions.
The committee noted that these weaknesses are not new. Similar concerns were raised by the Zondo Commission, which highlighted systemic failures in accountability and consequence management within the public sector.
Despite reforms introduced since then, including making lifestyle audits mandatory in 2022, implementation remains uneven.
Members warned that without stronger enforcement, lifestyle audits risk losing credibility as a deterrent.
Some called for harsher penalties for officials implicated in wrongdoing, arguing that weak consequence management undermines the entire system.
The move follows calls by Minister of Justice, Mamoloko Kubayi, for lifestyle audits and the NPA’s Andy Mothibi announcing that the organisation will be implementing them.
The NPA said the lifestyle audits were being implemented to combat corruption, bribery, and unexplained wealth among prosecutors and support staff, as demanded by leadership to ensure integrity.
The audits include scrutinising bank details and assets, aimed at curbing misconduct. The audits aim to detect unexplained wealth, such as large cash deposits or high-value assets, which may indicate corruption or bribery.
These measures are seen as a vital anti-corruption tool, acting as a deterrent and allowing for the identification of assets that could be seized during investigations.
Beyond enforcement, concerns were also raised about the protection of investigators and whistle-blowers, who play a critical role in exposing corruption.
The committee emphasised that any strengthened audit system must be supported by safeguards that protect those who come forward and those tasked with investigating wrongdoing.
With pressure mounting, the committee has committed to pushing for legislative changes that would formalise the SIU’s expanded role.
De Villiers said the committee would engage the Minister of Public Service and Administration to fast-track the reforms.
“This is a critical reform in the fight against corruption. The committee stands ready to support and play its part in the required legislative and oversight process.”
karabo.ngoepe@inl.co.za