President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Act, 2024 into law in June 2024, establishing the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption as a permanent entity within the National Prosecuting Authority. The new body has criminal investigative powers and dedicated investigators, prosecutors, forensic experts, and analysts to handle serious and complex corruption cases. The reform strengthens South Africa’s anti-corruption architecture and enhances the criminal justice system’s capacity to investigate, prosecute, recover assets, and protect institutional independence.

President Cyril Ramaphosa proclaimed that section 8 of the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Act, 2024 would come into effect on 1 March 2026. The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development also amended regulations governing the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption to establish formal complaint and oversight procedures involving a retired judge. These measures strengthen the independence, accountability, and operational effectiveness of South Africa’s specialised anti-corruption institutions.