SIU head quits, says he wants to spend time with his wife

Head of the Special Investigating Unit, Vas Soni, has resigned, the organisation said.

He resigned for personal reasons, spokesman Sefura Mongalo said.

"His wife has not been well for the past five months," he said.

Soni told broadcaster eNCA he needed to spend time with his wife.

When asked whether the job had been stressful, Soni said it had.

"I think it has been stressful and it's a serious challenge... I had spent almost my entire working life in the private sector and did not realise what a challenge working in the public sector is," he told the broadcaster.

Soni, an advocate, was appointed by President Jacob Zuma in September 2013. He indicated he would be going into private practice.

Soni's period in charge of the SIU saw it investigating president Zuma's home in Nkandla.

While the report found that the president was enriched by the state-funded improvements to Zuma's residence, it placed the blame on the shoulders of his architect Minenhle Makhanya.

In its final report on the Nkandla upgrades, the SIU alleges Makhanya authorised the construction of structures which were not security measures.

As a result of his "wrongful, unlawful and negligent conduct", R68,506,106 was paid to service providers for work that fell outside what the police and defence force recommended.

According to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's report he made R16.5m from the project.

Makhanya's case has been postponed to 25 February.