Pretoria: The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is poised to launch separate investigations into the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) and Bushbuckridge Local Municipality in Mpumalanga Province. This action follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s signing of two proclamations authorising the corruption-busting unit to probe the two entities.
According to South African Government News Agency, the SIU will investigate allegations of maladministration and corruption at SITA, focusing on the procurement of a Turnkey Software Asset Management Solution and Integrated Logistics Support Services. The SIU aims to determine if the procurement process adhered to National Treasury guidelines or if it was marked by irregularities, lack of transparency, or wasteful expenditure. The investigation will also scrutinize any unlawful or improper conduct by SITA employees, suppliers, or other entities involved in the contract. The investigation period spans from 13 July 2017 to 16 May 2025, but will also include any relevant conduct before or after this timeframe.
At the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, the SIU will focus on serious maladministration and unlawful conduct related to a street paving contract for the Lillydale Phase 1 project. The investigation will address allegations about the fairness, competitiveness, transparency, equity, and cost-effectiveness of the procurement process, checking for any violations of applicable legislation, National Treasury guidelines, or municipal policies. Additionally, the SIU will scrutinize instances of unauthorized, irregular, fruitless, or wasteful expenditure connected to this project. It will also assess improper conduct by municipal officials, employees, suppliers, or service providers to determine if such actions resulted in financial losses for the municipality or the state. The Proclamation covers conduct occurring between 1 January 2018 and 16 May 2025, including related activities before or after this period.
Moreover, any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during these investigations will be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The SIU is committed to identifying systemic failures and recommending measures to prevent future losses, beyond investigating maladministration, corruption, and fraud. Under the SIU Act, the unit is also authorized to initiate a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to address any wrongdoing resulting from acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration identified during its investigation.