Pretoria: President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a proclamation allowing the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to examine allegations of maladministration within the Department of Defence. The investigation seeks to recover any losses incurred by the State.
According to South African Government News Agency, Proclamation 260 of 2025 grants the SIU authority to delve into serious maladministration, particularly focusing on irregularities associated with Bid Number CPSC-UB-M-013-2021. This bid concerns the supply and delivery of surgical mask elastic loops. The investigation will assess whether procurement and contracting followed fair, competitive, transparent, equitable, and cost-effective procedures, or if they violated legislation, guidelines, or treasury instructions.
The SIU highlighted that their investigation will include examining unauthorised, irregular, or wasteful expenditures by the department or the State. They also aim to identify any misappropriation of unidentified payments received by the depart
ment. The probe will scrutinize any irregular, unlawful, or improper conduct by department officials, employees, suppliers, service providers, or any implicated entities.
The proclamation encompasses allegations of misconduct between 1 March 2021 and 23 May 2025. It also includes related activities prior to 1 March 2021 and post-proclamation that are relevant to the investigation or involve the same parties and contracts.
Beyond addressing maladministration, corruption, and fraud, the SIU is dedicated to identifying systemic failures and recommending preventive measures for future losses. In accordance with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU will forward any evidence of criminal activity discovered during the investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.
The SIU Act also empowers the unit to initiate civil actions in the High Court or a Special Tribunal to address wrongdoing identified during the investigation, particularl
y acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration.