Pretoria: The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) will expand its investigation into allegations of maladministration at the Department of Water and Sanitation to include the ‘Drop the Block’ Project. This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s signing of a proclamation that amends an earlier authorisation for the corruption-busting unit to probe the department.
According to South African Government News Agency, ‘Proclamation 287 of 2025’ broadens the SIU’s investigative scope to encompass the ‘Drop the Block’ Project and its execution by the department and implementing agents, Lepelle Northern Water and Sedibeng Water. The investigation will also cover any suppliers or service providers appointed by these entities for the project. Initially, the inquiry was confined to the department and Sedibeng Water.
The investigation’s timeframe has been extended to begin from 1 January 2015 and conclude on 12 September 2025. The SIU will scrutinize any unlawful or improper conduct by department officials, employees, suppliers, or service providers that may harm public interests. The investigation will also determine if there was any unlawful appropriation or expenditure of public funds.
In addition to examining maladministration, malpractice, corruption, and fraud, the SIU aims to identify system failures and propose systematic recommendations to improve measures to prevent future losses.