Corruption Latest: Ramaphosa unleashes SIU on Ekurhuleni Municipality

Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development are the latest subjects of an investigation into allegations of corruption ordered by President Cyril Ramaphosa this week.

Special Investigating Unit spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the investigation will focus on contracts for the supply of 200 portable, three-wheeled, motorised waste collection vehicles by or on behalf of the government entities.  He said investigators would aim to recover any alleged financial losses that may have been suffered by the government.

Kganyago said the R27 million tender was awarded to Enviro Mobi on 9 March 2017.

He said Ekurhuleni had appointed Enviro Mobi on 31 October 2018, to supply a further 70 three-wheel vehicles at a contract price of R7.8 million. 

to recover any financial losses suffered by the government due to alleged corruption.

“The SIU investigation is aimed to determine whether the procurement and payments made in relation to the three-wheel waste collection vehicles tender were done in a manner that was not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable or cost-effective or contrary to applicable legislation and guidelines issued by the National Treasury or the relevant Provincial Treasury,” Kganyago said.

“The SIU will also look at whether there was any related unauthorised, irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the institutions or financial losses suffered by the institutions or the government,” he said.

He said the SIU would also investigate any irregular, improper or unlawful conduct by contractors, employees or officials of the institutions or the suppliers, service providers or any other person or entity, relating to the allegations of corruption and maladministration. 

The investigation will cover transactions that took place between 1 January 2017 and 23 April 2021, and transactions that either took place before January 2017 or after 23 April 2021.

Ramaphosa’s signing of Proclamation R15 of 2021 authorises the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to unleash all its legislative powers to subpoena bank statements and cellphone records, search and seize evidence, and interrogate witnesses under oath in an effort to hold those responsible to account for their actions.

Where criminal conduct is uncovered during investigations, the SIU will bring the matter to the attention of its partners National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), as well as the Hawks in the South African Police Service (SAPS) for further action,” he said.

Enviro Mobi could not be reached for comment regarding the corruption allegations at the time of publication despite several attempts to make contact via telephone and email.

Fraud and corruption allegations may be reported via the following platforms: siu@whistleblowing.co.za / Hotline: 0800 037 774