Forensics unit claims full independence

DEU established to reinforce the fight against corruption

- By Setumo Stone

A privately funded digital forensics unit backed by senior legal figures - including corporate lawyer Ezra Davids, who sits on the board of Freedom Under Law - has begun supporting the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), positioning itself as an independent technical partner to the state.

The unit, known as the Digital Evidence Unit (DEU), is operated by Digital Forensics South Africa (DFSA), described as “an independent, standalone nonprofit entity established to reinforce South Africa's fight against crime and corruption by providing world-class digital-forensics capabilities to the NPA and its Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac).”

The DEU forms part of broader efforts outlined in a confidential government-business partnership briefing presented to President Cyril Ramaphosa to strengthen the prosecution of complex corruption cases.

The same briefing places Davids at the centre of the structure as chairperson, alongside business leader Wendy Luhabe and former national director of public prosecutions Vusi Pikoli on the board.

Davids, chairman and senior partner at Bowmans, serves on the Southern African board of Freedom Under Law, a nonprofit organisation focused on constitutional governance and the rule of law, alongside senior legal figures.