The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has struck a significant blow against corruption, recovering cash and assets, averting potential financial losses and securing the setting aside of contracts, all amounting to approximately R28.536 billion during the 2025/26 financial year.
The unit noted that this includes some R1.9 billion in potential losses prevented for the state 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 said in a statement on Tuesday.
The unit noted that investigations remain the backbone of its work, with some 5917 investigations closed and conducted under published proclamations during that year.
Forty-eight reports were submitted to the Presidency outlining the outcomes of investigations.
“Some of the reports cover investigations involving the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, Ithala 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, 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 R10.7 billion for civil proceedings.
“The PRASA investigation was the largest contributor to the overall amount, with the SIU instituting and conducting civil proceedings valued at R6.9 billion,” the statement read.
SIU Head Leonard Lekgetho said: “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; the ability to conceal corruption is weakened; and that those responsible face appropriate consequences”.
The corruption busting unit also conducted lifestyle audits at departments and entities including the Community Schemes Ombud Service, Housing Development Agency, Independent Police Investigative Directorate, 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.
Working together
In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the unit made some 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 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,” the statement noted.
The Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act provides for the establishment of Special Investigating Units for the purpose of investigating serious malpractices or maladministration in connection with the administration of State institutions, State assets and public money as well as any conduct which may seriously harm the interests of the public. -SAnews.gov.za
