SIU authorised to investigate building of a school and road in Northern Cape and Knysna Local Municipality security tender and extension of Chris Hani District Municipality Water Treatment Contract
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed three new proclamations and an amendment empowering the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of serious maladministration, corruption, and irregular expenditure in the Northern Cape Department of Education, the Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works, the Chris Hani District Municipality, and the Knysna Local Municipality. The SIU is mandated to recover any financial losses suffered by the State or these institutions.
Proclamation 331 of 2026 – Northern Cape Department of EducationThe SIU will investigate the procurement of goods, works and services for the new Kuruman Secondary School (Wrenchville/Kalahari) project. The SIU investigation will determine whether procurement processes were fair, competitive, transparent, equitable and cost-effective, and whether irregular expenditure was incurred.
The Proclamation empowers the SIU to investigate any irregular, unlawful, or improper conduct by officials, employees, or any person or entity related to the allegations. It covers misconduct between 8 December 2016 and 07 August 2026, as well as before or after these dates if relevant to the investigation, involving the same persons, entities, or contracts.
Proclamation 333 of 2026 – Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works The SIU has been authorised to investigate the rehabilitation of road MR938 (Hotazel/Kathu) under Tender DRPW 039/2017. Allegations include maladministration, irregular procurement, and wasteful Protecting the public interest and assets through prevention measures and systemic investigations to eradicate fraud, maladministration, and corruption.expenditure. The scope extends to officials, service providers, and other entities implicated in the project.
The Proclamation authorises the SIU to investigate any irregular, unlawful, or improper conduct by officials, employees, or any person or entity in relation to the allegations. It covers misconduct from 8 December 2017 to 07 August 2026, as well as conduct before or after these dates if relevant to the investigation, involving the same persons, entities, or contracts.
Proclamation 334 of 2026 – Knysna Local Municipality
The SIU will investigate irregularities in Tender T25 of 2023/2024 for physical security services. Allegations that will be investigated include unfair procurement, improper conduct by officials and suppliers, and related financial losses in the Knysna Local Municipality, Western Cape.
The Proclamation authorises the SIU to investigate any irregular, unlawful, or improper conduct by officials, employees, or any person or entity in relation to the allegations. It covers misconduct from 8 December 2017 to 07 August 2026, as well as conduct before or after these dates if relevant to the investigation, involving the same persons, entities, or contracts.
Proclamation 332 of 2026 – Chris Hani District Municipality (Amendment)
Proclamation 332 of 2026 further amends Proclamation No. R. 3618 of 2023, as amended by Proclamation No. 216 of 2024, in the Chris Hani District Municipality, concerning the appointment of the Chris Hani Co-operative Development Centre NPC for the conversion of the Community Service Providers and Operators into functional co-operatives and for the procurement of goods, works or services in terms of Tender No. 33/2015/MD (TN) – Cluster 9 Backlog Eradication: Tsomo Water Treatment and River Abstraction Works.
The time frame extends the investigation period from 1 January 2016 to 07 August 2026. This amendment broadens the SIU’s mandate to uncover wrongdoing over a longer period. The amendment results from SIU’s investigations, which revealed that further areas not covered by the existing proclamations require investigation. The SIU requested a Proclamation amendment in terms of time.
Beyond investigating maladministration, corruption, and fraud, the SIU will identify systemic failures and recommend measures to prevent future losses.
In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU will refer any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.
The SIU is also authorised under the SIU Act to initiate a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to address any wrongdoing identified during its investigation resulting from acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration.
Enquiries:
Selby Makgotho
Spokesperson: Special Investigating Unit
Cell: 083 718 6128
Email: SIUMedia@siu.org.za
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