The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) recovered cash and assets, prevented potential financial losses and secured the setting aside of contracts amounting to R28.536 billion during the 2025/26 financial year, protecting public funds and enabling resources to be returned to the State for service delivery and developmental programmes.
The amount includes Rl .9 billion in potential losses prevented and R936 million in cash and/or assets recovered. It also includes contracts valued at more than R25.7 billion that were set aside through legal proceedings before the Special Tribunal and the High Court of South Africa.
These legal actions help protect public funds from unlawful spending and, where possible, recover and redirect them toward their intended public purposes. The achievement underscores the SIU's ongoing commitment to combating corruption, maladministration and malpractice, while safeguarding State assets.
The SIU also maintained an unqualified audit outcome, demonstrating its commitment to sound governance, accountability and prudent financial management.
Progress in Investigations and Legal Action
Investigations remain at the heart of the SIU's work. During the 2025/26 financial year, the SIU closed 5,917 investigations conducted under published proclamations and submitted 48 reports to the Presidency outlining the outcomes of investigations. Some of the reports cover investigations involving the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, lthala Development Finance Corporation, the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality's Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works, Makana Local Municipality, Tembisa Hospital in the Gauteng Department of Health, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality's Water and Sanitation Services, and the Department of Home Affairs.
The SIU referred matters involving evidence of civil wrongdoing valued at Rl 0.7 billion for civil proceedings. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) investigation was the largest contributor to the overall amount, with the SIU instituting and conducting civil proceedings valued at R6,909,991,311.91.
Expanding Capacity Through Lifestyle Audits
To strengthen accountability and prevent corruption, the SIU expanded its capacity through secondment agreements to conduct lifestyle audits at eight government departments and State-owned entities.
During the year, lifestyle audits were conducted at the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS), Housing Development Agency (HOA), Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), Northern Cape Office of the Premier, PRASA, Gauteng Office of the Premier, Limpopo Department of Public Works, and Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
Collaborating with Law Enforcement and Government Institutions
The SIU recognises that collaboration is critical to combating corruption and ensuring accountability. In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU made 761 criminal referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) relating to matters involving officials, private entities and individuals suspected of criminal wrongdoing.
The SIU also referred 460 officials to their respective State institutions for disciplinary action, ensuring that matters involving alleged wrongdoing are addressed through the appropriate processes.
The Head of the SIU, Mr Leonard Lekgetho, said the progress reflected in the 2025/26 financial year demonstrates the importance of sustained investigations, legal action and collaboration between institutions in protecting public resources and strengthening accountability.
"Fighting corruption and demanding good governance is not one person's job. It requires a whole-of-society approach involving government, law-enforcement agencies, investigative and oversight institutions, whistleblowers, civil society, the media, businesses and every citizen.
"If we're serious about ending the scourge of corruption, we need to ensure that the opportunity to commit corruption is reduced; t he ability to conceal corruption is weakened; and that those responsible face appropriate consequences;'Mr Lekgetho added.
The SIU will continue to safeguard the public purse, protect State resources and support efforts to ensure that public funds are used for their intended purposes and for the benefit of all South Africans.
Enquiries:
Selby Makgotho
Spokesperson: Special Investigating Unit Cell: 083 718 612
Email: SIUMedia@siu.org.za
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