President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed Proclamation R130 of 2023 authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate serious allegations of maladministration in the affairs of the Office of the Premier in KwaZulu Natal.

In terms of the Proclamation, the investigation will focus on the appointment of a consultant to support six provincial priority programmes including the Luwamba Wellness Centre Project, and Operation Sukuma Sakhe Projects.

The investigation will also look to see if there was any unauthorised, irregular, or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the Office of the Premier in KZN, or losses suffered by the Provincial Office or the State.

Furthermore, the SIU will seek to establish whether there was any irregular, improper or unlawful conduct by the contractors, employees, or officials of the Office of the Premier and the suppliers, service providers, or any other person or entity.

In addition to investigating maladministration and malpractice, the SIU will also identify failures, and will also make systematic recommendations to improve measures to prevent future losses.

The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that took place between 1 April 2007 and 29 July 2023, the date of the publication of the Proclamation or before 1 April 2007 and after the date of the Proclamation that are relevant to, connected with, incidental to the matters or involves the same persons, entities or contracts investigated.

The SIU is empowered to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name, to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigations caused by acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration. In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.

Enquiries:

Kaizer Kganyago

Cell: 082 306 8888

E-mail: KKganyago@siu.org.za

Source: Government of South Africa