Anti-graft agency receives a clean audit
SIU also exceeds its target of completed investigations by 88%
THE Special Investigating Unit has received a clean audit for the 2017/2018 financial year from the Auditor-General, and managed to meet eight of its nine targets.
The SIU is the state’s forensic investigation and litigation agency, and investigates serious malpractices or maladministration in the duties of the state.
This year, the SIU concluded 15 comprehensive investigations, and its reports are with the Presidency.
Nazreen Pandor, the SIU’s spokesperson, said the unit had referred matters to court to the value of R2.7 billion.
In collaboration with the National Prosecuting Authority, 148 matters were referred for criminal prosecution.
“This achievement resulted in the SIU exceeding its target of completed investigations by 88%, an increase from last year, where six reports were submitted to the Presidency.
“As such, the SIU management remains committed to ensuring that investigation turnaround times and the completion and submission of reports to the Presidency continue to improve,” Pandor said.
Last month the unit said it would investigate whether a kickback of over R35million was paid for a state contract with German software firm SAP.
President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the investigation after the antigraft agency started its own probe into a R671m deal that SAP signed with the Water Ministry in 2016.
The unit is also looking into hundreds of cases where state attorneys are accused of colluding with private lawyers to agree on the settlement of fictitious claims.
The re-establishment of the Special Tribunal will require the SIU to identify matters that can speedily be heard to act against those who have committed maladministration or perpetrators of malpractice in a specialised court.
The SIU head, advocate Andy Mothibi, said the clean audit assured the public that the unit was poised to fight corruption.
“The new SIU strategy, which has been adopted for the 2018/2019 financial year, will also place a premium on the impact of the SIU’s work,” Mothibi said.