The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) said the entity closed more than 1,900 cases in the 2023/24 financial year.
The SIU said this had saved the South African government approximately R8 billion in the financial year.
According to their internal records, this R8 billion figure includes a record recovery of funds in actual cash amounting to R2.28 billion, marking the highest recovery in the SIU’s 27-year history.
The SIU said that it also prevented a further R2.32 billion in potential state losses and secured cash to be recovered from the acknowledgement of debt and admission of liability agreements to the value of R1.6 billion.
“In our pursuit of rectifying irregular administrative decisions, the SIU successfully set aside contracts worth over R2.13 billion through the Special Tribunal and the High Court of South Africa,” said Kaizer Kganyago, spokesperson for the SIU.
Some of the major cases
The investigative unit has also handed over 26 comprehensive reports to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
These investigative reports include:
- The National Lotteries Commission
- The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa)
- The Masters' Office
- The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
The unit said that it has referred evidence for the institution or defence/opposition of civil proceedings worth R4.8 billion.
“This includes, among others, matters regarding R2 billion from Eskom, R834 million from Transnet, R29.1 million from the eThekwini Municipality and R48.4 million from the City of Cape Town,” the unit said in a statement.
The SIU Head, advocate Andy Mothibi told members of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development in Parliament the investigations in entities like Transnet, Eskom and NSFAS played a significant role in these recoveries.
The Transnet recoveries alone amounted to R710 million. The SIU said that it recovered R500 million from Eskom and R191 million from NSFAS.
He also emphasised the success of the Medico-Legal investigation, which netted the government R1.98 billion and prevented the loss of a staggering R2.32 billion.
Lifestyle audits
Investigators also conducted a number of lifestyle audits on key individuals at Prasa, the Gauteng Office of the Premier, and the Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads, and Transport.
The SIU said it is extremely committed to partnering with other law enforcement agencies.
The unit said it recognised the importance of collaboration in the corruption battle, adding this will ensure accountability and more importantly, prosecution of officials and private entities involved in corrupt activities.
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