South Africa's National Treasury announced that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, acting under section 8 of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, has appointed Thabiso Lucas Thiti as Director of the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) for five years, effective 15 April 2026. He replaces Advocate Pieter Smit, who has served as Acting FIC Director since September 2023. The appointment followed a recruitment process underway since 2025, with a selection panel chaired by Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Zuko Godlimpi recommending Thiti as the preferred candidate. Thiti is currently Deputy Director General: Institutional Development and Support at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development and previously served as Head of the Office of Interception at the State Security Agency from 2020 to 2023, after holding senior roles at the agency from 2006 to 2018. The Minister linked the appointment to sustaining progress after South Africa’s recent exit from the Financial Action Task Force greylist, ahead of a mutual evaluation due later this year that will assess the effectiveness of investigations, prosecutions and sanctions.
National Treasury (South Africa) 2026-04-08
South Africa's National Treasury appoints Thabiso Lucas Thiti as Financial Intelligence Centre Director effective 15 April 2026
South Africa’s National Treasury has appointed Thabiso Lucas Thiti as Director of the Financial Intelligence Centre for a five-year term from 15 April 2026, replacing Acting Director Advocate Pieter Smit. The appointment, made under section 8 of the Financial Intelligence Centre Act following a formal recruitment process, is intended to support continued progress after South Africa’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force greylist ahead of a forthcoming mutual evaluation.