Terry Motau has emerged over the last decade as one of South Africa’s most visible legal investigators. He is a Senior Counsel with a track record in commercial crime investigations, public inquiries and regulatory reviews.
His work has often sat at the intersection of law, governance and public accountability — from the forensic review that exposed systemic fraud at VBS Mutual Bank to later appointments reviewing corruption allegations at public institutions.
Who is Terry Motau?
Terry Motau SC is a practicing advocate (Senior Counsel) in South Africa, affiliated with an established chamber of counsel.
His practice spans administrative law, commercial crime investigations, banking and finance, company law, and constitutional and criminal matters — positioning him as a go-to counsel for complex inquiries.
Career highlights & signature investigations
The VBS Mutual Bank investigation — “The Great Bank Heist”
One of Motau’s most consequential pieces of work came in 2018 when he was appointed by the South African Reserve Bank (Prudential Authority) to investigate the collapse and looting of VBS Mutual Bank. The investigator’s report, widely published as “The Great Bank Heist”, documented extensive fraud, irregular transactions and recommended criminal prosecutions and civil claims to recover assets. The report’s scale and detail thrust Motau into the national spotlight and shaped subsequent legal and parliamentary action.
Key takeaways from the VBS report:
- Large-scale looting and irregular payments were identified, involving money that should have protected depositors.
- The report urged criminal charges and recommended civil recovery against beneficiaries and implicated auditors.
Department of Water & Sanitation (DWS) fraud review
In May 2020, Motau was appointed to lead a legal review into reports of fraud and corruption at the Department of Human Settlements, Water & Sanitation (DWS) and related water entities — a high-profile assignment reflecting trust in his forensic approach to complex public sector cases.
Madlanga Commission — Chief Evidence Leader (and departure)
In 2025 Motau was appointed chief evidence leader to the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, which probes allegations of criminality and political interference across parts of the criminal justice system. Shortly after starting his role, he publicly raised concerns about administrative matters — including budget — and eventually requested to step down from the chief evidence leader role. His exit prompted media attention and public discussion about the resourcing and independence of major inquiries.
Style, reputation and approach
Terry Motau is widely regarded as meticulous, forensic and direct. His published investigations display detailed documentary work and a willingness to name structures and individuals connected to wrongdoing. That approach wins praise from accountability advocates and draws criticism or pushback from those named or implicated. His reputation as a tough investigator has led to repeated appointments in sensitive public matters.
Timeline — Selected career milestones
- Before 2018: Practising advocate with a broad commercial and administrative law practice (member of Group One chambers).
- 2018: Appointed by the SARB/Prudential Authority to investigate VBS — delivered the “Great Bank Heist” report.
- 2020: Appointed to lead a review into alleged fraud and corruption at DWS and water boards.
- 2025: Named chief evidence leader at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry; later stepped down citing administrative and resource concerns.
Why Motau’s work matters
Motau’s investigations have had real policy and legal fallout. The VBS report prompted criminal investigations, parliamentary scrutiny, civil recovery efforts, and calls for accountability from regulators and the public. When a respected advocate documents systemic failures in public institutions or in corporate governance, it raises the political stakes and frequently drives further legal and regulatory action.
Public controversies & media attention
Given the nature of his assignments — naming wrongdoers and recommending prosecutions — Motau’s work has been both lauded and polarizing. His recent resignation from a high-profile commission stirred debate about whether the resourcing and administration of public inquiries in South Africa supports the thorough, impartial work they require. Government responses and media coverage followed his statements closely.
What is his current focus?
As of the most recent news cycle, Motau had stepped away from the Madlanga Commission role after raising administrative concerns; he continues to be active as an advocate and is frequently appointed to sensitive reviews where forensic legal expertise is required. For real-time updates about his engagements, consult major South African news outlets and the chambers with which he is affiliated.
FAQs — Terry Motau Biography
Who is Terry Motau?
Terry Motau is a Senior Counsel (SC) and prominent South African advocate known for major forensic investigations, including the VBS Mutual Bank inquiry.
What is “The Great Bank Heist”?
“The Great Bank Heist” is the investigative report Motau produced into the collapse and looting of VBS Mutual Bank. The report documented irregular transactions, recommended criminal prosecutions and civil remedies, and had wide regulatory impact.
Did Terry Motau work for the government?
He has been appointed by government agencies and regulators (for example the SARB/Prudential Authority and later the Department of Water & Sanitation) to lead investigatory reviews — but he operates as an independent advocate, not a political officeholder.
Why did Terry Motau step down from the Madlanga Commission?
Motau said administrative issues — including concerns about budget and resourcing — made it difficult to add value to the commission; subsequent official statements and media reports covered the departure and responses from the justice department.
Where can I read his reports?
Major reports such as the VBS investigator’s report were published by the central bank / Prudential Authority and widely republished by reputable outlets and public archives; authoritative PDFs and news coverage are available online.
Conclusion
Terry Motau’s career is a study in the power — and limits — of forensic legal investigation in a democratic system. His work has exposed large-scale fraud, prompted regulatory and prosecutorial action, and shown how properly researched legal reporting can catalyze broader accountability. At the same time, recent events around the Madlanga Commission highlight the practical challenges public inquiries face: funding, administration and the heavy public expectations placed on investigators. Whether one agrees with every recommendation he makes, Motau’s contributions have reshaped conversations about corruption and institutional reform in South Africa.