FIC gets new chief – Moneyweb

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has appointed Thabiso Lucas Thiti as director of the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) for a five-year term, effective 15 April 2026.

Thiti replaces Advocate Pieter Smit, who has served as acting director since September 2023.

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Thiti brings over 20 years of senior experience in the public sector, spanning trade and industry advisory, the justice cluster, national security and intelligence operations, and strategic management.

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He is currently deputy director-general for institutional development and support at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, a role he has held since April 2023.

Previously, he served as Head of the Office of Interception at the State Security Agency from 2020 and 2023 and held several senior roles within the agency between 2006 to 2018.

New FIC director Thabiso Thiti. Image: justice.gov.za

During this time, Thiti was directly involved in strategy, operations, and coordination in the broader criminal justice system.

Godongwana says Thiti assumes the role at a critical juncture, following South Africa’s exit from the Financial Action Task Force grey list in less than three years.

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He adds that the FIC must sustain progress ahead of a mutual evaluation later this year, particularly in improving the effectiveness of investigations, prosecutions and sanctions.

“Mr Thiti steps into this role at a pivotal time. We believe he has the requisite skill and experience to lead this critical institution … [The] FIC has a key role to play to ensure that South Africa’s financial system remains trusted, transparent, and globally competitive,” Godongwana notes.

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