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Unisa collaborates with key South African investigative body
CAS leadership, led by Dr Moses Hlongoane and Dr Audrey Legodi, with representatives from the Special Investigating Unit
The College of Accounting Sciences (CAS) has reached an important milestone with the conclusion of the preparatory phase for the new Master of Accounting Sciences programme, developed in partnership with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). This progress reflects months of coordinated effort, strategic planning, and committed leadership across the college, particularly within the Department of Auditing.
A highly productive strategic preparatory meeting was held on 13 November 2026 with the Forensic Team in the Department of Auditing, representatives from the SIU, Executive Dean Dr Moses Hlongoane, Executive Deputy Dean Professor Cameron Modisane, and Acting Director Dr Edward Hlakudi. The engagement confirmed readiness for the programme’s first intake in 2026 and reaffirmed a shared commitment to strengthening South Africa’s national capacity in anti-corruption and forensic investigation.
Central to this achievement has been the leadership of Dr Audrey Legodi, Chair of the Department of Auditing, who has guided the process with dedication and clear direction. She was supported by an outstanding team of academics and forensic specialists, comprising Klarissa Engelbrecht, Stephen Hlongwane, Tshepo Bogopa, and Lerato Sebetlela. Legodi played a pivotal role in coordinating the eleven-month engagement with the SIU, ensuring that the programme aligned with both academic requirements and industry expectations.
The Master of Accounting Sciences is a specialised 180-credit NQF Level 9 qualification designed to equip professionals with advanced competencies in anti-corruption strategies, forensic investigations, digital forensic auditing, and applied research through a focused mini-dissertation. The programme targets practitioners seeking to enhance their academic and professional expertise while contributing to the national fight against financial crime.
CAS has expressed pride in this partnership, noting that the collaboration supports its strategic aim to align postgraduate programmes with national skills priorities. The formalised relationship between the college and the SIU focuses on capacity development, knowledge exchange, and collaborative research to produce graduates capable of addressing real-world forensic and investigative challenges.
This partnership is informed by the recognition that South Africa faces a shortage of specialists in the detection, investigation, and prevention of financial crime. Expertise in forensic investigation, forensic auditing, and digital forensics remains limited. The new programme has been designed to respond to this need through a curriculum that integrates technical, ethical, and professional competencies.
As preparations draw to a close, CAS is confident that the collaboration will create meaningful synergy between academic scholarship and investigative practice. The partnership is expected to enrich the student experience, enhance graduate employability, and support national efforts to combat corruption. The college looks forward to welcoming the first cohort in 2026 and advancing this important joint initiative.
* By Ntsako Mohlaba, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Accounting Sciences
Publish date: 2025-11-19 00:00:00.0
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