SIU Covid-19 Latest: Freezing order of suspended CFO’s pension granted

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has successfully instituted civil proceedings in the Special Tribunal to reinstate an order freezing pension benefits of the former Department of Agriculture Chief Financial Officer. 

Special Investigating Unit spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the 

SIU had approached the Special Tribunal to reinstate an interdict barring the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) from releasing the pension benefits of Jacob Basil Hlatshwayo after the initial order lapsed. 

“The Special Tribunal on Wednesday, 14 April 2021 interdicted GEPF from releasing pension benefits due to Mr. Hlatshwayo.  The SIU investigations in the awarding of a Personal Protective Equipment contract in the Department uncovered that Mr Hlatshwayo was allegedly implicated in the irregular and unlawful award of a contract to the value of R11.5 million,” he said.

“The award was in breach of the instructions issued by the National Treasury to regulate emergency procurement in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

Hlatshwayo was dismissed by the Department in October 2020 in an unrelated matter. 

“The SIU saw it prudent to secure the pension benefits due to the former CFO as it intends to claim for the financial losses suffered by the Department,” Kganyago said.

The SIU is an independent statutory body with a primary mandate to investigate allegations of corruption, malpractice and maladministration in the affairs of government departments, municipalities and State Owned Entities, and to recover financial losses suffered by State institutions. The SIU was established in terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunal Act, Act No 74 of 1996 (SIU Act). 

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