Who is a Prominent Influential Person (PIP)?

A prominent influential person will have a job in a position where they are at a high risk of becoming involved in corruption and bribery. This includes money laundering and terrorist financing activities. Such people hold important and well-known public roles or jobs in South Africa or other countries, or did so in the past. For example, managers who award tenders in municipalities, senior judges, members of ruling or royal families, military officers, heads of state, heads of government or cabinet ministers, influential people in nationalised industries, and senior or influential representatives of religious organisations.

FICA requires us to know if you, anyone in your family or anyone you’re closely connected with is a prominent influential person, also known as a PIP.

People you know and what they do

• Your family members are, for example:
  • Spouses or life partners, current or previous;
  • Children, step children, siblings and step siblings and their spouses or life partners, current or previous;
• A close associate is a person you know who is closely connected to you, either socially or professionally.

A prominent influential position is:

• A public political position, for example a ward councillor, mayor, provincial premier, member of executive council, and government;
• A minister, head of state and leader of a political party;
• An important position in a state-owned entity or municipality, for example the chief executive office and chief financial officer;
• A judge, member of a royal family, ambassador, a high-ranking officer in the military, and a senior traditional leader.