News Desk Reporter
The Special Investigating Unit has been given a broader mandate to examine contracts, road projects and subsidised public transport services linked to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport.
The expanded scope includes a major road upgrade in the Uthukela District, variation orders involving two contracts and the extension of another contract.
President Cyril Ramaphosa signed Proclamation 351 of 2026, amending the proclamation issued in 2024 that gave the SIU its original mandate.
The amendment, published in the Government Gazette today, brings the upgrade of Main Road P361, District Road D871 and District Road D1290 in the Uthukela District into the SIU’s work.
The road works cover Main Road P361 from Km 0+000 to Km 2+200, District Road D871 from Km 0+000 to Km 10+732 and District Road D1290 from Km 0+000 to Km 4+814.
The SIU will also examine the provision of subsidised public transport passenger services.
Variation orders relating to two existing contracts have been added to the scope, while the extension of another contract will also be scrutinised.
The original proclamation, issued in 2024, focused on four bridge construction projects in KwaZulu-Natal.
They are the Mngwenya River Bridge on D385, Umlalazi River Bridge Number 3782 on D1551, Mhlathuze Bridge Number 3837 on D2238 and Phethu River Bridge Number 3526.
The unit was authorised to look into the procurement and contracting of goods, works and services connected to the projects, including payments made under those agreements.
This includes allegations that procurement or contracting processes may not have been fair, competitive, transparent, equitable or cost-effective.
The mandate also covers conduct that may have breached applicable legislation, Treasury prescripts or departmental policies and procedures.
It includes expenditure that may have been unauthorised, irregular or fruitless and wasteful.
The original proclamation covered alleged unlawful or improper conduct between 1 June 2016 and 23 February 2024.
It also allowed the SIU to look at conduct occurring after the proclamation if it was relevant to, connected with or incidental to the matters being examined.
That provision extends to conduct involving the same people, entities or contracts.
The latest amendment extends the period covered to the date on which the amended proclamation was published.
Under the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act of 1996, the SIU has powers to examine allegations of serious maladministration and corruption.
It can also institute civil proceedings in the Special Tribunal and seek to recover financial losses suffered by the state.
The expanded mandate does not establish that wrongdoing occurred. Any findings on improper conduct or financial losses will depend on the outcome of the SIU’s work.