The Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu has welcomed an announcement by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) that it was now ready to investigate the alleged tender irregularities awarded by the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) dating back to 2012.

This follows the signing of the Proclamation R33 of 2021 by President Cyril Ramaphosa giving a green light to the SIU to probe allegations of corruption and maladministration in the Department involving officials and IT company, EOH. At a meeting in 2020 DWS requested the SIU to extend the scope of the investigation to investigate the alleged irregular appointment of EOH.

The latest developments as announced by the SIU is as a result of the DWS’ Forensic Audit Unit which concluded 42 investigations during the 2019/2020 financial year.

“Our resolve is to root out fraud and corruption which has, over the years, denied our people access to clean water and provision of decent sanitation. As we turn around the Department we need all the necessary support from various institutions including law enforcement agencies. The war against fraud and corruption is a collective responsibility and can only be won if we put our hands on deck”, said Sisulu.

Minister Sisulu has also issued a call that all institutions under the Department of Water and Sanitation should continue to cooperate with all law enforcement agencies including SIU on various investigations affecting the Department.

Minister Sisulu has consistently communicated that the fight against fraud and corruption in the Department should be intensified. Accordingly, the number of cases have been referred to law enforcement agencies for further investigations. SAPS and number of disciplinary cases. A Ministerial Stabilization Committee led by former Minister Susan Shabangu has unearthed a number of irregularities and Disciplinary Hearings are currently underway.

Source: Government of South Africa