By REGINALD KANYANE
2 September 2026 – The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) said it is authorised to investigate a R150 million tender for maintaining 28km of road at the North West Department of Public Works and Roads. This comes after the Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa, signed Proclamation 340 of 2026, which authorises the SIU to investigate allegations of serious maladministration, corruption, irregular expenditure, and unlawful or improper loss of public funds at the North West Department of Public Works and Roads and recover any losses suffered by the State or the department.
The SIU spokesperson, Selby Makgotho said the investigation will focus on the procurement of, or contracting for, goods, works or services by or on behalf of the department in relation to Bid Number PWR 89/13: Special Maintenance of Road P152/1 from Setlagole to P34/4 in Delareyville, covering 58km (Phase II – 28km). Makgotho said according to the tender notice, the bid amount stood at R150 466 494,68.
“The SIU will investigate whether the procurement process, contracting and related payments were conducted in a manner that was not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable or cost-effective, contrary to applicable legislation or inconsistent with manuals.
“This will include guidelines, practice notes, circulars or instructions issued by National Treasury or the relevant Provincial Treasury, as well as the department’s own policies, procedures, prescripts, instructions or practices,” he said.
Makgotho further said the investigation will further determine whether the contract was tainted by improper or unlawful conduct by officials, employees or agents of the department, service providers or any other person or entity, with the intention of corruptly or unduly benefiting themselves or another person or entity. He added that the SIU will also investigate allegations of fraud and any related unauthorised, irregular, or
fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the department or the state.
“The investigation will cover the period from 9 March 2021 to 28 August 2026, the date of publication of the Proclamation. In terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act, 1996 (Act No. 74 of 1996), the SIU is empowered to investigate the allegations, institute civil proceedings in the Special Tribunal or High Court and take appropriate steps to recover financial losses suffered by the state.
“The SIU Act further empowers the Unit to institute civil proceedings in its own name before the Special Tribunal or High Court to address any wrongdoing identified during its investigation arising from acts of corruption, fraud or maladministration,” said Makgotho.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua said: “We have received notice of the proclamation by Ramaphosa for the SIU to investigate its awarding of the project for the special maintenance of Road P152/1 from Setlagole and Road P34/4 in Delareyville.
“This awarding dates back to when the department was under Section 100 (1)(b) intervention of the Constitution, wherein constitutional powers were bestowed upon the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to fulfill the duties and obligations of the Accounting Officer for the Department.”
Mokua said as a result, she will engage the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure on the matter. She said, however, she commits the department’s full cooperation with the SIU during the course of the investigation as it has been doing since the enquiry started until the proclamation.
The Guardian 