President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed Proclamation R13 of 2021 authorizing the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of the Central Johannesburg Technical and Vocational Education and Training College (CJC) and to recover any financial losses suffered by the State.
The investigation will focus on the administration and disbursement of bursary and allowance funding received from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (“NSFAS”) and the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (“W&R SETA”).
The idea is to determine whether the bursary and allowance funding which was administered and disbursed by the CJC was done in a manner that was contrary to applicable legislation, manuals and instructions issued by the National Treasury or the relevant Provincial Treasury, and in a fraudulent manner. The SIU will also look at whether the disbursement of the bursary and allowances was conducted or facilitated by service providers or third parties; and in collusion with or through the intervention of officials or employees of the CJC to corruptly or unduly benefit themselves or others.
The SIU will extend its investigation to cover any unlawful or improper conduct by officials or employees of the CJC or any other person or entity in relation to the reported allegations.
The investigation will cover transactions that took place between 1 January 2017 and 16 April 2021, and transactions that either took place before January 2017 or after 16 April 2021 but relevant to, connected with same persons, entities or contracts being investigated.
The proclamation authorizes the SIU to unleash all its legislative powers to subpoena bank statements and cellphone records, search and seize evidence, and interrogate witnesses under oath in a quest to hold those responsible to account for their actions.
The matters were referred to the SIU by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande with a request to assist with an investigation into the alleged irregularities. The referral was accompanied by a forensic report emanating from a preliminary forensic investigation conducted. The SIU prepared a motivation for a proclamation authorizing the corruption busting Unit to investigate and recover losses suffered.
The SIU is an independent statutory body with a primary mandate to investigate allegations of corruption, malpractice and maladministration in the affairs of government departments, municipalities and State Owned Entities, and to recover financial losses suffered by State institutions. It was established in terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunal Act, Act No 74 of 1996 (SIU Act).
Fraud and corruption allegations may be reported via the following platforms: siu@whistleblowing.co.za / Hotline: 0800 037 774
Enquiries:
Kaizer Kganyago
Special Investigating Unit
Tel: 012 843 0048
Cell: 082 306 8888
E-mail: kkganyago@siu.org.za
