Setting the record straight on Investigations to be conducted by the Special Investigation Unit(SIU) in the North West Province
The North West Provincial Government has noted media reports that suggest that the Department of Public Works and Roads ( Public Works, Road and Transport) in the North West is to be investigated by the SIU.
It is indeed true that there will be an investigation in the Department of Public Works and Roads in the Province. It must however, be stated that this investigation is an initiative of the province.
The province proactively asked the SIU to institute investigations in the provincial departments, therefore, the department of Public Works and roads is undergoing this process.
The Premier in his State of the Province Address stated that all forensic investigation reports conducted in the past should be referred to the law enforcement agencies. The object of the engagement is to finalise reports whose recommendations were not conclusive.
The Provincial Government attended a stakeholder engagement initiated by the SIU at Protea Hotel in Mahikeng in 2017 and the Premier SOR Mahumapelo proactively requested that all forensic investigation reports should be referred to the SIU.
The Department in question is ready and has already met with the SIU officials for information sharing and the implementation of the process. Officials of the Department of Public Works have pledged their full cooperation for the success of the project.
It should be noted that the cases in question emanate prior to 2008, in addition to that any other matter that may have arisen after 2008 to the date of the proclamation will be highly considered by the process, which the department is geared to assist.
Some of the cases include those raised by the communities for the alleged aborted projects.
Pursuant to this process any enquiry pertaining to the investigations will be solely handled by the SIU and the provincial administration will await the outcome of the process.
The scope of the proclamation is as follows:
- Scholar transport
- Grass cutting
- Road maintenance
- Expanded Public Works Programme(EPWP)
- Declaration of interest by officials
- Any unlawful or improper conduct by the employees of the department and also applicable to the service providers
- Non-performance or mal performance by the contractors, suppliers and service providers
For enquiries, contact
Mr Brian Setswambung
Cell: 076 012 4501
E-mail: bsetswambung@nwpg.gov.za
