President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed two proclamations authorising the Special Investigating Unit to investigate allegations of maladministration and corruption in the eThekwini and Ngqushwa municipalities.
Under proclamation 226 of 2024, the SIU is authorised to probe eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality’s procurement of Security and VIP Protection Services.
The investigation will determine whether procurement processes were fair and transparent, whether service providers fulfilled their contractual obligations, and if any employees, officials, or agents engaged in unlawful or improper conduct to benefit themselves or others.
The proclamation addresses allegations of misconduct between 1 January 2004 and 22 November 2024, and extends to related activities occurring before or after this period, provided they involve the same persons, entities, or contracts.
Proclamation 227 of 2024, on the other hand, will focus on procurement irregularities in Ngqushwa Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape.
These includes upgrade and completion of the New Creation Sports Field, and the procurement of a mayoral luxury SUV.
According to spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago, the SIU will investigate whether payments were made fairly, competitively, transparently, and in compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and Treasury directives.
The SIU will also probe any improper conduct by municipal officials, employees, suppliers, or other implicated parties.
Under the SIU Act of 1996, the SIU is empowered to refer criminal evidence to the National Prosecuting Authority and pursue civil litigation in the High Court or Special Tribunal to recover funds lost through fraud, corruption, or maladministration.
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