By Zuko Komisa

- President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe corruption and maladministration at the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality.
- The investigation focuses on six contentious infrastructure and procurement contracts, including the Mdantsane swimming pool and Water World projects.
- The SIU’s mandate has also been expanded to investigate sanitation tenders in Gauteng, with any criminal conduct to be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is stepping up its anti-corruption efforts following new proclamations signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The corruption-busting unit has been given the green light to investigate serious allegations of maladministration, unlawful expenditure, and improper conduct within the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and its development agency.
At the heart of the Eastern Cape investigation are six specific tenders and contracts. These include projects such as the Mdantsane NU2 Swimming Pool, demolition work by First New Generation Trading, boundary wall installations by Lefito Trading, and engineering and main contractor services for the Water World Project. The probe will examine whether public money was unlawfully spent, property was damaged, or procurement processes failed to be fair, competitive, transparent, and cost-effective.
Concurrently, President Ramaphosa has expanded the SIU’s mandate in Gauteng. A previous proclamation probing sanitation and walk-unit tenders at the Sicelo Shiceka informal settlement now includes 100 ablution and sanitation facilities in Bekkersdal. The timeframe for this Gauteng probe has also been extended back to cover incidents occurring between April 2017 and September 2026.
Any evidence of criminal wrongdoing uncovered during these extensive investigations will be handed over to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for criminal prosecution. Additionally, the SIU holds the legal authority to initiate civil proceedings in the High Court or Special Tribunal to recover public funds lost to fraud and corruption.
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