News Desk Reporter
Several Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality projects and procurement decisions are set to come under scrutiny as the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) examines allegations of wrongdoing.
The investigation follows a proclamation signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa giving the SIU authority to probe the matters.
Six contracts and related procurement processes have been identified, including projects linked to the Mdantsane NU2 Swimming Pool and the Water World development.
The probe will examine the Mdantsane NU2 Swimming Pool Project and the appointment of First New Generation Trading (Pty) Ltd to demolish existing walls.
It will also look at the appointment of Lefito Trading, trading as Kuyasa Electrical Contractors, for the removal of the Donkin wall and installation of palisades.
Two contracts relating to the Water World Project are also included. They concern consulting engineering services and the appointment of the main contractor.
The SIU will investigate allegations involving employees of the municipality and the Buffalo City Metropolitan Development Agency.
This includes alleged improper or unlawful conduct, as well as the unlawful appropriation or expenditure of public money or property.
The unit will also examine transactions involving state property to determine whether any unlawful, irregular or unauthorised acts, transactions or practices took place.
Any intentional or negligent loss of public money or damage to public property will also form part of the investigation.
Payments made in relation to the projects will be scrutinised to establish whether they were fair, competitive, transparent, equitable and cost-effective.
The SIU will also determine whether the payments complied with the applicable legislation.
The Buffalo City probe comes as Ramaphosa has amended an existing proclamation concerning an SIU investigation into two tenders issued by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements.
The Gauteng investigation concerns tenders for ablution and sanitation infrastructure and walk units at the Sicelo Shiceka informal settlement.
The amendment expands the scope of that investigation to include 100 ablution and sanitation infrastructure facilities at Bekkersdal.
It also extends the period covered by the investigation to alleged unlawful and improper conduct occurring between 1 April 2017 and 18 September 2026.
The SIU said any criminal conduct uncovered during the investigations would be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for consideration.
The unit is also empowered under the SIU Act to institute civil proceedings to recover losses or address wrongdoing arising from alleged corruption, fraud or maladministration.
Such proceedings may be brought in the High Court or the Special Tribunal.