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Special Investigating Unit- South Africa, 74 Watermeyer Street, Pretoria (2026)

29/09/2026

INFRASTRUCTURE BUILT ANTI-CORRUPTION FORUM REVIEWS PROGRESS IN TACKLING FRAUD AND CORRUPTION

The Infrastructure Built Anti-Corruption Forum (IBACF) held its second quarterly meeting this September, bringing together stakeholders from law enforcement, government, civil society and the private sector to review progress in combating fraud, corruption and maladministration in the infrastructure-built sector.

The meeting reaffirmed the forum’s commitment to strengthening accountability and transparency, with key updates presented by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Global Infrastructure Anti-Corruption Centre South Africa (GIACC-SA) and the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (NDPWI).

The SIU reported on 20 proclamations in the infrastructure-built sector involving government entities, provincial departments and municipalities across the country. The investigations are at various stages, with some ongoing.
The SIU highlighted common findings emerging from infrastructure investigations, including incomplete price schedules; bidders requesting a higher Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) grading than required for a project; yellow plant owned by another company; claims of expertise where the relevant personnel did not work on the project; false certificates or falsified proof of project completion; collusion; bid rigging; and relationships between project managers and contractors.

Outcomes from SIU investigations include disciplinary referrals, civil litigation, referrals to the NPA where evidence points to criminal conduct, signed Acknowledgements of Debt (AoDs), and systemic recommendations to affected institutions.

The NPA has allocated prosecutors to guide the investigation on several proclamations referred by the SIU, including Proclamations 20 of 2018, 23 of 2020, 16 of 2021, 20 of 2024, 156 of 2024, 32 of 2016 and 209 of 2024.

The NPA has set a 74% conviction-rate target for essential infrastructure cases. Between April and August 2026, 215 cases were finalised, resulting in 166 convictions and an overall conviction rate of 77.2%.

The NPA noted, however, that while the conviction rate for essential infrastructure cases is on target, the prosecution of high-level actors remains low. The last racketeering application relating to an essential infrastructure case was brought to the Office of the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) in November 2023.

The NPA’s Organised Crime Component called for stronger joint efforts to ensure investigations support prosecutions under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA), with greater emphasis on money laundering and racketeering in cases falling within the organised crime and commercial crime space.

The NPA also noted that dealing in non-ferrous materials has been included in the draft National Risk Assessment on Money Laundering.

GIACC-SA, an independent non-profit organisation established in 2021, highlighted the importance of professional integrity in the built environment, as well as understanding corruption risks, governance and professional responsibility. Its work focuses on architects, quantity surveyors, civil and structural engineers, electrical engineers, project managers and other built environment professionals.

The IBACF reaffirmed the importance of a collaborative, “whole-of-society” approach to combating corruption, bringing together civil society, the private sector and public institutions. This is aligned with the National Development Plan’s vision of a corruption-free South Africa.

The forum has also facilitated targeted anti-corruption communication campaigns, strengthening partnerships between government and civil society to foster transparency and public trust.

The forum will continue to meet quarterly, with progress reports shared with relevant oversight bodies and the public where appropriate.

28/09/2026

Update: The runner, Mr Mtshali, was released on R5000.00 bail, and the others were released on warning. They will return to court on 04 December 2026.

The SIU also notes that the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality announced that the Marble Hall Registration and Licensing Centre is temporarily closed.

The SIU will continue to pursue disciplinary referrals against officials.

27/09/2026

| SIU SECURES R42.4 MILLION IN CASH AND ASSETS LINKED TO BRIBES PAID TO TEMBISA HOSPITAL OFFICIALS

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured approximately R42.4 million in cash, properties, pensions and investments linked to the R100 million in bribes allegedly paid by businessman Stefan Joel Govindraju to officials at Tembisa Hospital to secure procurement deals worth approximately R600 million.

The Special Tribunal granted the SIU a preservation order last month, preventing the disposal of assets belonging to Mr Zacharia Tshisele, his civil wife Phumudzo Tshisele, his customary wife Fulufhelo Lineth Tshililo, and entities and associates connected with them.

The order also restrains payments and dealings by companies and individuals implicated in the corruption network, including Joseph Fhumulani Muthaphuli and Ernest Monnakgotla, former Area Manager at Tembisa Hospital and a member of the hospital’s Quotation Adjudication Committee. Tshisele and Monnakgotla allegedly worked together to siphon funds from Tembisa Hospital’s coffers into two major syndicates.

The Tribunal order also interdicts the Government Employees Pension Fund and Government Pensions Administration Agency from paying out Tshisele’s pension, valued at R1,089,808.32, and froze two properties: the Birchleigh North property in Kempton Park registered in the names of Tshisele and his wife Phumudzo, and the Delmore Park property in Boksburg registered in the name of Tshililo. These properties are valued at approximately R1.3 million and R820,000 respectively.

The SIU investigation revealed that two of the three major syndicates operating at Tembisa Hospital are linked to Tshisele. The first being the Govindraju syndicate, run by Mr Stefan Joel Govindraju, which used 75 companies to trade with the hospital and received approximately R600 million. The second being the Mazibuko syndicate, operated by Mr Rudolf Mduduzi Mazibuko, which used 17 companies to trade with the hospital and received approximately R283 million. Both syndicates relied on corrupt cooperation from hospital officials, including Tshisele and Monnakgotla, to facilitate unlawful procurement.

The SIU investigation found that Tshisele, appointed Operational Manager of the hospital’s theatre in 2017, abused his position to initiate supply chain processes and confirm receipt of goods, enabling payments to syndicate-linked companies. He was directly involved in transactions worth approximately R15.9 million, each kept below the R500,000 threshold to avoid competitive bidding. These transactions were often unnecessary, undelivered, or only partially delivered, violating the Constitution, the Public Finance Management Act, the Public Service Act, Treasury Regulations, and the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.

Funds from the Govindraju syndicate, including payments from Diolinx and Fuligenix, were channelled through Create 10, co-directed by Tshisele, Monnakgotla and Muthaphuli. These financed properties, mining ventures, and a film project. Tshisele and Monnakgotla invested R17.5 million in Manngwe Mining and Solmag Mining, while R15.5 million was advanced through Time Bomb towards the production of a movie titled “The Bad Bishop”. Notably, R1.5 million was transferred into the account of Tshisele’s nine-year-old daughter.

The Tribunal order directed Manngwe Mining, Solmag Mining, and Time Bomb to pay all amounts due under their funding agreements into the trust account of the SIU’s attorneys, Noko Maimela Incorporated, pending final determination of the main proceedings. It also barred Create 10 and its directors from disposing of assets, declaring dividends, or incurring new liabilities outside the ordinary course of business.

In 2025, Tshisele signed an Acknowledgement of Debt with the SIU, committing to repay unlawfully obtained funds. He has since repaid R13,530,894.27 in four instalments. Manngwe Mining also agreed to repay R17.5 million over 36 months.

In May, the SIU obtained an order freezing a R6.4 million luxury property in Midstream Estate and R1.8 million in pension benefits belonging to former Tembisa Hospital official Duduzile Nobungwana. Preservation orders and payment agreements against Tshisele and Nobungwana bring the total value of preserved cash and assets to approximately R42.4 million, which syndicate members paid as bribes. The two are not challenging the SIU's actions.

In line with the SIU Act 74 of 1996, the SIU has referred evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action, while continuing civil proceedings to recover losses suffered by the State. The referral led to Govindraju's arrest last month on multiple charges arising from allegations of procuring medical supplies and equipment at Tembisa Hospital. The charges include 70 counts of fraud, theft, money laundering and corruption-related offences.

25/09/2026

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA AMENDS PROCLAMATION TO EXPAND SIU INVESTIGATION INTO KZN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORT

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed Proclamation 351 of 2026, amending Proclamation 156 of 2024, which mandated the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of corruption, maladministration and related improper conduct at the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport.

Proclamation 156 of 2024 authorised the SIU to investigate the procurement of, or contracting for, goods, works or services by or on behalf of the department relating to the construction of:

• Mngwenya River Bridge on D385, under tender number ZNT3748/15T;
• Umlalazi River Bridge Number 3782 on D1551, under tender number ZNT3617/15T;
• Mhlathuze Bridge Number 3837 on D2238, under tender number ZNT3901/16T; and
• Phethu River Bridge Number 3526, under tender number ZNT3506/16T.

The investigation includes payments made in relation to these contracts where the procurement or contracting processes were not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable or cost-effective; contravened applicable legislation, Treasury prescripts or departmental policies and procedures; or resulted in unauthorised, irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure.

The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful or improper conduct that occurred between 1 June 2016 and 23 February 2024, as well as conduct occurring after the Proclamation that is relevant to, connected with or incidental to the matters under investigation, or that involves the same persons, entities or contracts.

Expanded scope of investigation

The amendment, published in the Government Gazette on 25 September 2026, expands the investigation to include:

• The upgrade of 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 in the Uthukela District, under Contract Number ZNB01067/00000/00/HOD/INF/21/T;
• The provision of subsidised public transport passenger services under Tender ZNB 2278/24T;
• Variation orders relating to contracts ZNQ 4197 and ZNQ 4198; and
• The extension of Contract ZNB 136/17T.

The amendment also extends the period covered by the investigation to the date of publication of the amendment.

In terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act, 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU is empowered to investigate allegations of serious maladministration and corruption, institute civil proceedings in the Special Tribunal and recover financial losses suffered by the State.

23/09/2026

🟥[LIVE] The Head of the SIU, Mr Leonard Lekgetho, and team, will appear before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans to give a brief on the status of Defence and Military Veterans portfolio investigations.

You can follow the proceedings here: https://www.youtube.com/live/qF71Lrf-Ngg?si=0PutRZYU-MwBacUz

22/09/2026

SIU CONDUCTS A SEARCH AND SEIZURE AT PSIRA ’S PREMISES IN CONNECTION WITH THE R130 MILLION TRAINING TENDER

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is executing a search and seizure warrant at the Private Security
Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) premises in Centurion, Pretoria. The Special Tribunal granted the warrant on 17 September 2026, and the SIU is executing it with assistance from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI ), also known as the Hawks.

Following the signing of Proclamation 316 of 2026 by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 03 June 2026, the SIU wrote to PSIRA requesting documents relating to the procurement or contracting for training services by or on behalf of PSIRA and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), relating to the delivery of Election Observer Training, End -User Computing Training, and “PSIRA Grade E to C” Training to 7,071 targeted learners across nine provinces. The contract value is estimated at around R130 million.

The SIU’s request for documents was only partially complied with, and the bundles sent to the Unit omitted a year’s worth of documents necessary for the investigation. The SIU deemed it necessary to seek a search warrant from the Special Tribunal to seize documents and electronic devices, such as cell phones and computers, to assist an ongoing investigation.

The SIU uses search and seizure as a last resort to obtain information to assist with an investigation, after failing to secure full cooperation through cordial engagement.

The SIU is empowered by the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act) to subpoena bank statements and cellphone records, search and seize evidence, and interrogate witnesses
under oath to investigate allegations brought before the Unit fully.

The SIU is also empowered to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations caused by acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration. In line with the SIU Act, the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.

21/09/2026

PRESIDENT RAMAPHOSA AUTHORISES SIU TO INVESTIGATE SIX TENDERS IN BUFFALO CITY MUNICIPALITY AND AMENDS TWO GAUTENG HUMAN SETTLEMENTS TENDERS

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a new proclamation and an amendment authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of serious maladministration and corruption in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and the Gauteng Provincial Department of Human Settlements.

The SIU is mandated to investigate the allegations, identify any financial losses suffered by the State or affected institutions, and, where appropriate, take steps to recover such losses.

Proclamation 350 of 2026

Proclamation 350 of 2026 directs the SIU to investigate six projects in the affairs of the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and the Buffalo City Metropolitan Development Agency (BCMDA).

The investigation will focus on the procurement of, or contracting for, goods, works or services relating to:

• Mdantsane NU2 Swimming Pool Project;
• Mdantsane NU2 Swimming Pool Project;
• Appointment of First New Generation Trading (Pty) Ltd for the demolition of existing walls;
• Appointment of Lefito Trading, trading as Kuyasa Electrical Contractors, for the removal of the Donkin wall and palisade installation;
• Consulting engineer services for the Water World Project; and
• Main contractor for the Water World Project.

The SIU will investigate allegations of serious maladministration, improper or unlawful conduct by employees of the municipality and BCMDA, and the unlawful appropriation or expenditure of public money or property.

The investigation will also examine any unlawful, irregular or unapproved acquisitive act, transaction, measure or practice involving State property, as well as any intentional or negligent loss of public money or damage to public property.
The SIU will further investigate payments made in connection with the above matters where such payments were not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable or cost-effective, or were contrary to applicable legislation.

The proclamation covers conduct that took place from 1 January 2016 to 18 September 2026.

Amendment to Proclamation 181 of 2024

President Ramaphosa has also amended Proclamation 181 of 2024, which mandates the SIU to investigate allegations relating to two tenders in the Gauteng Provincial Department of Human Settlements.

The investigation relates to the procurement of, or contracting for, goods, works or services for:

• 150 ablution and sanitation infrastructure and facilities at Sicelo Shiceka informal settlement: Phase 1 and Evaton; and
• 180 walk-up units at Sicelo Shiceka Extension 5.

The amendment expands the scope of the investigation to include 100 ablution and sanitation infrastructure and facilities at Bekkersdal.

It also extends the period covered by the investigation to include allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that occurred between 1 April 2017 and 18 September 2026.

In terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU will refer evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigations to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for consideration and further action.

The SIU is also authorised under the SIU Act to institute civil proceedings in the High Court or the Special Tribunal in its own name to recover losses or address wrongdoing arising from acts of corruption, fraud or maladministration.

18/09/2026

UPDATE| COUNCILLOR IN COURT OVER ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO BRIBE SIU INVESTIGATOR

Thulamela Local Municipality councillor Netshivhumbe Gumani appeared today at the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mahikeng in connection with an alleged attempt to bribe an SIU investigator.

Gumani was arrested in June 2026 during a joint operation involving the SIU, Hawks, and SAPS.

He is alleged to have offered an SIU investigator R70,000 to obstruct a corruption investigation into lease agreement tenders at the Mahikeng Local Municipality. During the sting operation, an initial R10,000 cash payment was allegedly handed over.

His case was postponed and transferred to the Commercial Crimes Court, where he is expected to appear on 7 December 2026.

COUNCILLOR IN COURT OVER ALLEGED SIU BRIBE

Thulamela Local Municipality councillor Netshivhumbe Gumani appeared today at the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mahikeng in connection with an alleged attempt to bribe an SIU investigator.

Gumani was arrested in June 2026 during a joint operation involving the SIU, Hawks, and SAPS.

He is alleged to have offered an SIU investigator R70,000 to obstruct a corruption investigation into lease agreement tenders at the Mahikeng Local Municipality. During the sting operation, an initial R10,000 cash payment was allegedly handed over.

His case was postponed and transferred to the Commercial Crimes Court, where he is expected to appear on 7 December 2026.

18/09/2026

| SIU SECURES JUDGMENT TO SET ASIDE R85 MILLION SAA-FLYFOFA DRY-LEASING CONTRACT AND IS SET TO RECOVER PROFITS MADE BY FLYFOFA

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) secured a Special Tribunal judgment setting aside South African Airways' (SAA) decision to extend its dry-lease agreement with Flyfofa Airways (Pty) Ltd for a Boeing 737-300 freighter. The SIU is set to recover profits Flyfofa made from the R85,340,863 agreement.

Based on evidence presented by the SIU, the Tribunal found that SAA’s decision, through its Board, to extend the lease without any procurement process and/or approval from the National Treasury for deviation, for 36 months at a total cost of R85,340,863 from 1 July 2019, was not taken in accordance with a procurement system that was fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost-effective, as required by Section 217(1) of the Constitution.

To facilitate the recovery, the Tribunal ordered Flyfofa to, within 30 days from 11 September 2026, provide the SIU’s attorneys with a full and detailed account, supported by underlying documents, of all amounts received from SAA and costs properly and actually incurred in performing the agreement. This must include an account of the period during which aircraft ZS-TGG was grounded and any substitute performance provided during that period.

The Tribunal further ordered Flyfofa to pay the SIU within 14 days any amount shown by account to constitute profit or unjustified enrichment, together with interest at 11% per annum from the date of the order.

The SIU approached the Tribunal following an intensive investigation into SAA’s decision to extend the original contract with Flyfofa. The investigation found that SAA had effectively ceded its domestic overnight freighter operations to Flyfofa.

The SIU’s investigation found that in September 2015, the SAA Board approved a deviation from its standard aircraft-procurement process as a risk-mitigation measure. Flyfofa was subsequently among the companies invited to make presentations to SAA’s Cross-Functional Sourcing Team in March 2016.

SAA’s own assessment at the time recorded Flyfofa’s financial position as “high risk”, citing the absence of audited financial statements, a solvency ratio of 0.1 and losses in the preceding two financial years. SAA and Flyfofa subsequently concluded a series of short-term wet-lease arrangements during 2016.

On 3 November 2016, SAA entered a three-year dry-lease agreement with Flyfofa for two B737-300F aircraft, which was scheduled to end in 2019.

On 1 July 2019, SAA and Flyfofa concluded a further 36-month arrangement for the provision of a B737-300 freighter (impugned decision). The evidence further indicated that the arrangement was concluded during a period when the Flyfofa aircraft was grounded and that SAA made payments to Flyfofa during the period the aircraft was grounded.

The Tribunal further found that the decision was not authorised by any properly recorded, approved and reported deviation in accordance with Treasury Regulation 16A.6 and National Treasury Instruction Note 3 of 2016/17. The decision was therefore declared unlawful and set aside on the grounds of legality.

Although the members of the Board of Directors were not cited as respondents, Judge Fortuin said: “the SAA Board’s conduct in the matter warranted criticism.”

“This conduct has a cost, and it is not only to the SAA alone. This is a cost to the public,” Judge Fortuin added.

The Tribunal also ordered the Registrar to send the judgment to the Minister responsible for SAA, as well as SAA’s directors and Board chairperson, for consideration of whether appropriate steps should be taken against those who served on the SAA Board when the 2019 extension was concluded.

The Tribunal referred SAA to various legal avenues through which individual directors or officials involved in the decision may be held personally accountable, including financial misconduct proceedings under the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), applications to declare directors delinquent or place them on probation under the Companies Act, further SIU investigation or civil recovery proceedings, and referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority or Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation where the conduct may constitute corruption.

The Tribunal also indicated that the Minister may consider the continued suitability of directors who remain on the SAA Board and were responsible for the decision.

The Judge ordered that the Minister shall, within 90 days of the date of the order, file a short report with the Registrar of this Tribunal confirming whether the steps have been taken and, if so, what the outcome was.

President Cyril Ramaphosa signed Proclamation R2 of 2020 authorising an investigation into certain allegations concerning the affairs of SAA, including the procurement of or contracting for Airbus aircraft and maintenance, repair and operations services.

The judgment is a continuation of the SIU’s efforts to implement investigation outcomes, promote consequence management and recover financial losses suffered by State institutions.

Special Investigating Unit- South Africa

29/09/2026

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27/09/2026

25/09/2026

23/09/2026

22/09/2026

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