A graphic on the evolution of IDAC

KEY MILESTONES : The IDAC didn't appear overnight. It started as the Investigating Directorate in 2019. A year later, its powers were expanded. In 2022, it was made permanent. The NPA Amendment Act was signed on 24 May 2024, and the ID officially became the IDAC on 19 August that same year. Most recently, in 2026, an Oversight Judge was appointed to keep watch.

WHY IDAC WAS CREATED : The IDAC was born out of the State Capture Commission's recommendations. Its job is to tackle complex graft that ordinary prosecutorial units struggle with. It focuses on top-tier cases and converts lengthy investigations into actual prosecutions. The goal was to create a permanent, dedicated anti-graft unit.

WHAT CHANGED : The shift from ID to IDAC was significant. The ID was a temporary unit with a limited lifespan. The IDAC, on the other hand, is a permanent structure. It has full police powers, specialist investigators and follows a prosecution-led model — meaning prosecutors drive investigations from the start.

POWERS & OVERSIGHT : So what can the IDAC actually do? It investigates serious corruption, leads its own prosecutions and can subpoena witnesses. Complaints against it are now overseen by a dedicated Oversight Judge, ensuring the unit itself is held accountable.

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