Stealth Defence Risk & Forensic Services supports attorneys, insurers, mining operations, corporates and private clients with forensic investigations, tracing, lifestyle audits, due diligence, intelligence and risk advisory services across South Africa.
A boutique forensic investigations, intelligence and litigation support practice for complex, sensitive and high-risk matters.
Clients do not engage Stealth Defence for routine matters. The practice is typically instructed where allegations are serious, facts are disputed, commercial interests are at risk, litigation is contemplated, reputational exposure exists, or decision-makers require independent investigative insight.
The firm is intentionally structured as a boutique specialist practice. This means clients receive principal-led attention, discretion, continuity and investigative judgement rather than a generic service delivered through layers of consultants. Matters are led by Adrian van Straaten, supported where appropriate by trusted specialists and aligned to the factual, legal, commercial or operational requirements of the engagement.
Many organisations and legal teams approach investigations through large providers where work may be distributed across teams. That model has its place. Stealth Defence operates differently. The value of the practice lies in direct engagement with the principal investigator, clear accountability and the ability to move quickly on sensitive matters while maintaining quality and discretion.
Principal-led does not mean limited capability. It means the matter is not treated as a commodity. The client has access to senior investigative judgement from the outset, and the investigation is shaped around the actual risks, evidence, personalities and decisions involved.
Stealth Defence's work is evidence-led. The objective is not to confirm a suspicion or produce a predetermined outcome. The objective is to establish facts, identify evidence, test versions, understand relationships, map interests and provide findings that can withstand scrutiny.
In complex matters, the facts are often incomplete. Documents may be missing. Witnesses may be difficult to locate. Relationships may be concealed. Ownership may be indirect. Claims may be disputed. Procurement records may not tell the full story. The value of a disciplined investigation lies in identifying what is known, what can be verified, what remains unresolved and what further action may be justified.
Investigations do not occur in isolation. They affect litigation strategy, insurance decisions, disciplinary processes, supplier relationships, board decisions, reputation and operational continuity. Stealth Defence approaches matters with an appreciation for commercial context as well as investigative facts.
This is especially important in mining, insurance, procurement, litigation and corporate environments where decisions must be made under pressure and where findings may have consequences for employment, contracts, insurance coverage, recovery action or legal proceedings.
Many matters involve significant financial, reputational or personal sensitivity. A discreet approach is therefore essential. Stealth Defence is suited to matters where clients need quiet factual development before deciding how to proceed, whether to litigate, whether to discipline, whether to repudiate or pay a claim, whether to continue a supplier relationship or whether to escalate further.
Assignments commonly include fraud investigations, corruption enquiries, supplier integrity reviews, hidden asset investigations, lifestyle audits, insurance claims investigations, witness tracing, due diligence investigations, litigation support assignments, beneficial ownership enquiries, procurement investigations and corporate misconduct matters.
Clients need more than a report. They need clarity. They need to understand what happened, what evidence exists, who may have been involved, where value may have moved, what remains unresolved and what options may remain. Stealth Defence's value lies in helping clients move from uncertainty to informed decision-making.
Attorney Services | Litigation Support | Hidden Assets | Asset Recovery | Lifestyle Audits | Representative Matters