Podcasts about special investigating unit

Graeme Raubenheimer speaks to Wouter Kriel, spokesperson for Western Cape Local Government MEC Anton Bredell, about the decision to refer a missing R41 million disaster relief grant to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).  Afternoon Drive with John Maytham is the late afternoon show on CapeTalk. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30 pm. CapeTalk fans call in, in an attempt to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live – Afternoon Drive with John Maytham is broadcast weekdays between 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) https://www.primediaplus.com/station/capetalk Find all the catch-up podcasts here https://www.primediaplus.com/capetalk/afternoon-drive-with-john-maytham/audio-podcasts/afternoon-drive-with-john-maytham/ Subscribe to the CapeTalk daily and weekly newsletters https://www.primediaplus.com/competitions/newsletter-subscription/ Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CapeTalk   CapeTalk on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@capetalk   CapeTalk on Instagram: www.instagram.com/capetalkza  CapeTalk on X: www.x.com/CapeTalk  CapeTalk on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Special Investigating Unit says an investigation into procurement fraud at Eskom has revealed that thousands of the Power Utility's workers have over the years failed to comply with the company's conflict of interest policy. Addressing Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts, SIU officials say Eskom employees are linked to numerous entities serving as Eskom's vendors, contractor's and supplies which have accumulated Billions of rands over a period of nearly two decades. For a brief overview of some of these investigations, Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Tshwane has welcomed the Special Investigating Unit's (SIU) decision to refer criminal charges to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regarding the Rooiwal wastewater treatment works tender. The move comes after the SIU completed the first phase of its investigation into the multi-million rand tender, which has been marred by allegations of corruption and maladministration. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Tshwane Caucus Leader, Cilliers Brink

The Special Investigating Unit has conducted a surprise raid in the Makana Municipality in Makhanda in the Eastern Cape. This comes shortly after President President Cyril Ramaphosa, authorised the Hawks to investigate allegations of serious maladministration involving seven tenders in the in the education-centered town where Rhodes University stands.  The raid is understood to be in relation to the Bulk Water Project, the Bulk Sewer Upgrade project including and electrification project amongst others. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has told the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) about massive corruption and maladministration at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) was briefing SCOPA on investigations it conducted at PRASA. The corruption relates to PRASA's purchase of locomotives from Swifambo and the Rail Agency's deal with Siyangena to supply and maintain an integrated security access management system at various train stations across the country. Here is the Head of the SIU, Adv Andy Mothibi 

    Thabo Shole-Mashao speaks to Kaizer Kganyago, the spokesperson of the Special Investigating Unit to discuss how lawyers have taken advantage of the process of claiming for medical negligence from the Department of Health and how the SIU is clamping down on them.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Special Investigating Unit has given a damning report about the scale of fraud by lawyers when instituting medico-legal claims against government. This practice cuts across the private and public health sectors. The SIU was briefing Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) on the latest development in its investigations into allegations of fraud in medical legal claims. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Special Investigating Unit (SIU) spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago

The Gauteng Department of Health has noted a recent ruling by the Special Tribunal which invalidated and set aside a R257 million COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) contract awarded to Nkhane Projects and Supply by the Department. The matter was brought before the Tribunal, a court with similar status to the High Court, by the Special Investigating Unit after the unit found that the contract did not adhere to the necessary legal frameworks, particularly highlighting non-compliance to the Public Finance Management Act. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Wayne Duvenage, CEO of organisation undoing Tax Abuse, OUTA

The former head of the Special Investigating Unit in Gauteng has begun serving a six year prison sentence. Website

Officials from the Asset Forfeiture Unit, the Special Investigating Unit and the Hawks are currently carrying out a joint operation in Mpumalanga that has seen authorities seize assets and properties belonging to senior officials, service providers and companies linked to a R 52.6-million corruption network in the  Mpumalanga Department of Public Works. The operation follows a preservation court order obtained by the Asset Forfeiture Unit, which was recently issued by the High Court in Mbombela. The case relates to personal protective equipment tenders issued by the department in 2020 and 2021.Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme is collaborating with the Special Investigating Unit to address irregular contracts and employee misconduct. Website

The Special Investigating Unit has raided all five of the country's refugee centres as part of a probe into alleged corruption. Minister of Home Affairs Aaron Motsoaledi says a whistle-blower tipped off his Department to unlawful activities occurring at the centre, where officials are allegedly being bribed to issue fraudulent documents to unregistered foreign nationals.  Home affairs officials' electronic devices, have been confiscated. Dr Aaron Motsoaledi was present at the Desmond Tutu Refugee Centre in Marabastad in Pretoria earlier, where he addressed reporters...

Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan continues to face huge criticism for threatening to take legal action against Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises. This comes after the committee that oversees his department, adopted a report which recommends that the failed SAA-Takatso deal be handed over to the Special Investigating Unit for further probing. The Democratic Alliance says Gordhan should not use public funds to fight parliament's processes while the EFF has questioned what Gordhan seeks to hide by attempting to block an investigation into the deal. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter, Joseph Mosia.

Parliament's Public Enterprises Portfolio Committee has recommended that the transaction that saw Takatso Consortium appointed as the preferred bidder to acquire 51 percent of South African Airways be referred to the Special Investigating Unit. The committee says the department has not been able to successfully dispute the former Director-General KgathatsoTlhakudiallegation that Takatso was not part of the initial list of companies that submitted bids. The committee also feels that Tlhakudi's submission that SAA assets were undervalued was not disproved in light of the cancellation of the transaction that the Public Enterprises Minister PravinGordhan announced last week. Here is what Public Enterprises Committee Chairperson, Khaya Magaxa told the committee today....

The Presidency finally announced the election date, South Africa falls in love with the Special Investigating Unit's new social media style, and another round of crises at South African universities. All you need to know.Find us elsewhere:Youtube: @theissuewithdancorderInstagram: @theissuewithdancorder Twitter: @theissuewith Tiktok: @dancorderPatreon: TheIssuewithDanCorderInquiries: theissuewithdancorder@gmail.com

Riverlea residents remain concerned about informal settlement and alleged links to illegal mining. A last-ditch attempt to avoid impeachment? Former Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe is expected to head to the Western Cape High Court today to stop Wednesday's impeachment vote from taking place. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) released the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) results for the fourth quarter of 2023. The household-based sample survey measures the labour market activities of individuals aged 15 -64. The SIU has been authorised to investigate allegations of maladministration and unlawful conduct by Department of Home Affairs and Prasa officials. The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) is receiving an update from the Presidency on the investigation reports submitted by the Special Investigating Unit. The SIU has in the past accused the presidency of doing nothing to check that the recommendations they make are carried out. DGs also just ignore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, PRASA has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to institute a Special Investigating Unit, SIU investigation into corruption at the state entity. Ramaphosa signed proclamations authorising the corruption busting unit to investigate allegations of corruption related serious maladministration and the awarding of tenders for the supply of trains. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Dan Khumalo, Deputy General Secretary of the United National Transport Union, UNTU

The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday formally laid criminal charges against Deputy President Paul Mashatile, after allegations of corruption, spanning almost two decades, were levelled against him. It has been reported that Mashatile's son-in-law Nceba Nonkwelo purchased a R28.9-million home in Constantia, Cape Town, last year through one of his companies, Bilcosat. Between March and May 2023, Nonkwelo, through his business entities, funded the purchase of properties allegedly for Mashatile's benefit, worth R65.9-million. DA leader John Steenhuisen said the integrity of the South African government was laughable when the country's second in command had such a large cloud of dire corruption allegations hanging over his head. "President [Cyril] Ramaphosa can no longer bury his head in the sand and hope it will somehow blow over. There now exists more than sufficient evidence to suggest that Paul Mashatile is, and has been, involved in egregious corruption during his tenure of various executive positions over the past two decades, and it is now time for him to face the consequences," said Steenhuisen. He said as South Africa approached a "'hinge of history' election later this year", citizens could not allow the African National Congress (ANC) government to deflect from the fact that most State failure and every service collapse could be directly traced to State capture and severe corruption that had become endemic under the ANC. Steenhuisen said the DA had also submitted a formal complaint against Mashatile to Parliament's Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests for a breach of the Members' Code of Conduct, for failure to disclose registrable interests, or for wilfully or grossly negligently providing the Registrar with incorrect or misleading details. "Mashatile also faces allegations for having misled Parliament by failing to properly declare his use of various properties, including a R37-million Waterfall house in Gauteng. In addition to this, Mashatile also breached the Code of Conduct by failing to act in all respects in a manner that is consistent with the integrity of their office or the government," he said. Given that the appointment of the Deputy President was made solely at the discretion of the President, last week the DA submitted a dossier of allegations levelled against Mashatile to the Union Buildings for the attention of Ramaphosa. The DA gave Ramaphosa a week to act against Mashatile, urging him to use the 2024 State of the Nation Address (SoNA) to declare the removal of Mashatile from his executive, and to submit him for a full Special Investigating Unit investigation. However, Steenhuisen said it came as no surprise that Ramaphosa had done nothing to act against the "corrupt cadres within his government" and within his own party. Steenhuisen pointed out that had Ramaphosa instituted lifestyle audits for his Cabinet ministers, as promised in his first SoNA, all allegations levelled against Mashatile would have come to light for the requisite action to be taken. FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS Meanwhile, Steenhuisen said the work of journalists should not be ignored, explaining that in addition to laying criminal charges against Mashatile the DA was seeking an appointment with the Hawks, which were already involved in an investigation with other several matters related to Mashatile. The DA will seek to supplement the Hawks' case with matters outlined in the charge sheet. "We believe that it is in the interest of South Africa for President Cyril Ramaphosa to break his silence about his deputy. He cannot continue to act as if nothing is wrong and everything is all right. This is a huge scandal that is enveloping the Presidency. You cannot stand before the nation at the State of the Nation Address and talk about combating corruption and getting at the bottom of graft and eliminating State capture in the country, when the very person occupying the office across from you at the Union Buildings has himself got t...

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts has been briefed on the progress of made at the South African Airways by the office of the Auditor general and the Special Investigating Unit following investigations into the national carrier. The Auditor general's office has noted that there is not much progress made regarding SAA's financial statements. Deputy Business Executive at Auditor General of South Africa, Fhumulani Rabonda has also highlighted some of the issues encountered while auditing SAA. 

The Special Investigating Unit, SIU will probe allegations of maladministration and corruption In the City of Tshwane. President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a proclamation authorising the SIU to investigate allegations of corruption relating to the failed Rooiwal waste water treatment plant. The multimillion-rand tender, which was awarded to controversial businessman Edwin Sodi is suspected to have possible links to the recent cholera outbreak in Hammanskraal. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to the City of Tshwane Executive Mayor, Cillers Brink, who has welcomed the Investigations.

The Special Investigating Unit has found that National Treasury flouted its own internal procurement processes when it awarded a contract for the implementation of the Integrated Financial Management System in 2016. It says the contract with service provider Oracle resulted in fruitless and wasteful expenditure amounting to 68-million rand. It also found that there was a conflict of interest for some of the former directors general at the Treasury.  This emerged when the SIU updated  Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) on their investigation into the project. Abongwe Kobokana  reports...  

The Special Investigating Unit, SIU is considering legal action against former Eskom CEO, André de Ruyter for authorizing a private Investigation into corruption at the power utility. The Unit was briefing the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Scopa about an intelligence report commissioned by de Ruyter into sabotage and looting at Eskom. De Ruyter commissioned the report without authorization from the board. SIU head, Advocate Andy Mothibi says de Ruyter could be guilty of maladministration. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Benedicta van Minnen, MP and DA Member on the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, SCOPA

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) says former  Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter, did not have authority to investigate the corruption at the power utility. Head of SIU,  Advocate Andy Mothibi says the unit has questioned why Eskom appointed a private investigative company and not law enforcement. The Special Investigating Unit and Hawks have been briefing the Standing Committee on Public Accounts regarding the intelligence report commissioned by former GCEO of Eskom. Advocate Mothibi elaborates.

The sixth General Assembly of the Association of African Anti-Corruption Authorities (AAACA) has begun its second day in Kempton Park. The General Assembly focuses on the global fight against corruption and money laundering, exchanges on national experiences in the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows, as well as the importance of cooperation and coordinated approaches for asset recovery in Africa. The subject of the General Assembly is "Promote citizen engagement in the fight against corruption and illicit financial flows, ensuring the African continent's holistic development. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Advocate Andy Mothibi Head of the Special Investigating Unit

Clement speaks to Jeff Wicks, an Investigative Journalist at News 24, and Kaizer Kganyago, the spokesperson for the Special Investigating Unit about the progress in investigating payment irregularities at Tembisa Hospital which were first uncovered by the slain whistleblower, Babita Deokaran.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Special Investigating Unit has vowed to return to court a High Court judgement which declared as invalid the unit's authorisation to investigate the affairs of Telkom. Website

An investigation by the Special Investigating Unit has revealed that the Department of Human Settlements in Mpumalanga has paid a service provider for the installation of water storage tanks at a cost of 5 million rand each. The SIU says while the prices were grossly inflated, it also discovered that the water storage tanks in question were not operational. For more on this Freddy Ngobe, Head of Communication at the Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlements spoke to Elvis Presslin

State-owned arms manufacturer, Denel is appearing before parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts today on a number of issues including the entity's liquidity status as well as investigations that have been conducted by the Special Investigating Unit. The board failed to appear before SCOPA last week forcing the meeting rescheduled to be postponed to today. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC Parliamentary reporter, Lulama Matya.

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts will receive an update from the Presidency on the investigation reports submitted by the Special Investigating Unit. In attendance is the Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni a delegation from the Presidency and a delegation from the Special Investigation Unit in the form of Advocate Andy Mothibi. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Parliament reporter, Lulama Matya.

The Special Investigating Unit has confirmed to parliament's  Standing Committee on Public Accounts that the agency has obtained the more than 1000-page-long so-called intelligence report which allegedly implicates high-ranking politicians in alleged criminal cartels operating at  Eskom. During his presentation earlier today, Head of the Special Investigating Unit , Advocate Lekgoa Mothibi told SCOPA that the unit is currently going through the report and would take the appropriate action in due course.

The Special Investigating Unit, SIU says they will be challenging Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane's application to interdict the unit from continuing its investigation into allegations of maladministration and impropriety at the University of Fort Hare. Mabuyane is challenging President Cyril Ramaphosa in court over the SIU investigating how he obtained his qualifications at the University. Mabuyane says "the President acted irrationally, arbitrarily, and for an unauthorised purpose". Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA's Eastern Cape provincial chairperson Athol Trollip...

The Special Investigating Unit says several legal practitioners signed acknowledgments of debt after the unit found more than R340 million in duplicate payments to several law firms. The unit says it has so far recovered around R18 million of the money. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to the Road Accident Fund Chief Executive Officer, Collins Letsoalo

President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday that the fight against State capture and corruption is gaining momentum. He wrote in his weekly letter to the nation that in the last few months, several cases have been brought to court, with former executives of State-owned enterprises (SOEs) Eskom and Transnet charged alongside business people for allegedly colluding to steal public funds. He said progress is also being made in other areas where there has been malfeasance. Ramaphosa is facing backlash for allegedly violating the Constitution following the release of a Section 89 panel report, which made damning findings against him in relation to the theft of money from his Phala Phala farm. While many are calling for Ramaphosa to step down, others claim the report findings are being used by those implicated in corruption to push Ramaphosa out of the running for the African National Congress presidency, and ultimately, State President. Ramaphosa explained that the announcement by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) last week that it had reached a settlement with an international company implicated in corruption at Eskom is a huge development in the country's effort to hold those responsible for State capture to account. The NPA Investigating Directorate finalised a landmark agreement with Swiss engineering company ABB to pay R2.5-billion in punitive reparations to South Africa relating to bribes allegedly paid to obtain contracts with Eskom between 2014 and 2017. “This amount, which will be paid into the Criminal Asset Recovery Account, is in addition to R1.6-billion that ABB paid Eskom in 2020 to settle an investigation into allegedly criminal conduct involving contracts at the Kusile power station. Importantly, the current settlement does not indemnify the company or its staff from prosecution,” explained Ramaphosa. He noted that for the last five years, South Africa has been working hard to end the looting of resources and to prosecute those responsible and recover stolen funds. “When we embarked on this journey, we understood that the results would not be felt overnight. We first had to rebuild State institutions that had been deliberately weakened, emptied of expertise and rendered incapable of preventing capture by criminal elements. We had to strengthen law enforcement institutions and shield them from outside interference,” he said. He went on to say one of the most important steps the country took was to establish, in 2019, the Investigating Directorate in the NPA to deal with cases emanating from the State capture commission and other corruption-related offences. He added that recently plans to make the Investigating Directorate a permanent structure were announced. FIGHTING CORRUPTION Meanwhile, the Special Investigating Unit continues with its investigations into corruption and mismanagement at State institutions and SOEs, with its Special Tribunal empowered to recover stolen funds. The South African Revenue Service continues to fight corruption through lifestyle audits and other legislative tools. It is piloting a new wealth initiative to recover assets suspected of having been acquired illegally or through the proceeds of crime. Ramaphosa highlighted that the NPA, through the Investigating Directorate, the Asset Forfeiture Unit and other structures, is successfully using preservation orders, asset forfeiture and other tools to tighten the noose around those involved in corrupt activities. “Many of those involved in State capture and their enablers in the private sector saw nothing wrong with diverting public funds to private pockets. At the height of the State capture era, unscrupulous politicians repurposed State institutions for private enrichment and to cover their tracks,” he said. He said today South Africa has law enforcement authorities and a prosecuting authority devoted to investigating and prosecuting without fear or favour, as well as State institutions committed to fulfilling their respective mandate...

EOH Holdings is about to embark on a rights offer, seeking up to R600-million from its long-suffering shareholders as it moves to deal with the unsustainable debt on its balance sheet. At the same time, the share price – R3.10 at the time of publication – has fallen to levels last seen in early 2020, soon after the start of the Covid-19 hard lockdown sent equity markets crashing. Is it all bad news at EOH, or is the market overreacting? Stephen van Coller, EOH's group CEO, joins TechCentral's Duncan McLeod in the TC|Daily studio to unpack the debt problem EOH faces: how bad is it, how much is it spending to service this debt, and what happens if the rights issue is not a success? Van Coller, who joined EOH from MTN Group, says getting the capital structure right will put the IT services group on a sustainable footing for profitable growth. Could that mean a rerating of the share price, too? In this episode of TC|Daily, Van Coller unpacks: • The timelines for the rights issue, what shareholders are being asked to do. • Whether EOH will need to sell more businesses, and investor concern that if it does it'll be cutting into muscle rather than fat. • Whether the entire EOH business could be put for sale. • The profit margins that EOH can reasonably expect in the longer term. The conversation then turns to the legacy corruption issues at EOH. Here Van Coller tackles several thorny issues, including: • The civil suits against former directors, including ex-CEO and co-founder Asher Bohbot, how these suits are progressing, and their chances of success. • Whether we are likely to see criminal prosecutions against former EOH executives anytime soon. • The recent settlement with the Special Investigating Unit over corrupt dealings at the department of water & sanitation, and whether there are any other legacy issues that could cost EOH money. • EOH's relationship (or lack thereof) with Microsoft. Lastly, Van Coller talks about his time at EOH – and why he would not have taken the job if he'd known he'd be spending his time cleaning up a nest of corruption. He also tells TC|Daily what he may do next when he eventually moves on from the company. Don't miss the interview! TechCentral

EOH Holdings is about to embark on a rights offer, seeking up to R600-million from its long-suffering shareholders as it moves to deal with the unsustainable debt on its balance sheet. At the same time, the share price – R3.10 at the time of publication – has fallen to levels last seen in early 2020, soon after the start of the Covid-19 hard lockdown sent equity markets crashing. Is it all bad news at EOH, or is the market overreacting? Stephen van Coller, EOH's group CEO, joins TechCentral's Duncan McLeod in the TC|Daily studio to unpack the debt problem EOH faces: how bad is it, how much is it spending to service this debt, and what happens if the rights issue is not a success? Van Coller, who joined EOH from MTN Group, says getting the capital structure right will put the IT services group on a sustainable footing for profitable growth. Could that mean a rerating of the share price, too? In this episode of TC|Daily, Van Coller unpacks: • The timelines for the rights issue, what shareholders are being asked to do. • Whether EOH will need to sell more businesses, and investor concern that if it does it'll be cutting into muscle rather than fat. • Whether the entire EOH business could be put for sale. • The profit margins that EOH can reasonably expect in the longer term. The conversation then turns to the legacy corruption issues at EOH. Here Van Coller tackles several thorny issues, including: • The civil suits against former directors, including ex-CEO and co-founder Asher Bohbot, how these suits are progressing, and their chances of success. • Whether we are likely to see criminal prosecutions against former EOH executives anytime soon. • The recent settlement with the Special Investigating Unit over corrupt dealings at the department of water & sanitation, and whether there are any other legacy issues that could cost EOH money. • EOH's relationship (or lack thereof) with Microsoft. Lastly, Van Coller talks about his time at EOH – and why he would not have taken the job if he'd known he'd be spending his time cleaning up a nest of corruption. He also tells TC|Daily what he may do next when he eventually moves on from the company. Don't miss the interview!

The tide is turning. Impunity is no longer a given. That is according to National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) advocate Shamila Batohi, who has assured Parliament that the wheels of justice are turning. On Wednesday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Hawks and the Special Investigating Unit briefed the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) on the investigations into corruption at state-owned entities and the Department of Water and Sanitation. "Over the past six months, since we were last before Scopa, the NPA's leadership and its staff – by design and not by default – have implemented key initiatives to rebuild a fit-for-purpose organisation to deliver accountability and uphold the rule of law. The Investigating Directorate (ID) has stable and competent leadership, whose successes result from enhanced internal and external collaboration and focused case prioritisation. "This strategy resulted in the enrolment of nine seminal cases at the end of September 2022, the product of long-standing investigations by the ID and Directors of Public Prosecutions (DPPs), in close collaboration with the DPCI (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Hawks)," Batohi said. While speaking of successes, Batohi said work still needed to be done. "The hard, focused work and close collaboration are bearing fruit. Criminals will exploit the gaps in law enforcement cohesion. We need clear strategies to stay one step ahead of them by ensuring our respective mandates align to close these gaps," she said. Key to turning the tide at the NPA, Batohi said, was their focus on building the NPA into a fit-for-purpose organisation. "The wheels of justice – grinding at first – are now turning and will gain momentum. Our actions demonstrate that impunity is no longer a given. We are confident that the rule of law will prevail," she said. Batohi said several measures were established to increase capacity and strengthen the NPA's work. This included the establishment of the joint NPA and DPCI task force. There is also a multiple partner approach between the DPCI, NPA (which includes the ID, Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit and Asset Forfeiture Unit) and Financial Intelligence Centre. "Its mandate is to drive coordination and coherence in responses to Zondo [Commission] reports. Reliance on prosecution-guided investigation approach. [It aims to build] partnerships and adopt bold and innovative measures with the private sector to strengthen and supplement the skills of our prosecutors through specialised training and the contracting of forensic specialists, while zealously guarding our independence," she said. Establishing the ID as a permanent entity is beneficial as it: Facilitates attraction of needed specialised skills and qualifications Provides security of tenure to investigators and prosecutors as permanent staff Enables continuity in case work without risk of being recalled/reassigned, as is currently the case Safeguards the independence of a pivotal corruption-fighting entity in SA architecture President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the ID would become a permanent organ in his response to the Zondo Commission's recommendations. "Permanence will require legislative changes that will take time. In the interim, the minister has been asked to confer, by regulation, peace officer powers to ID investigators in terms of the CPA without delay to enhance significantly their ability to do their work," Batohi said.

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan said the South African Airways (SAA) deal with government's chosen partner, the Takatso consortium, "remained alive" and dismissed a major schism in the consortium as "argy-bargy". On Monday, Gidon Novick resigned from the consortium's board, citing concerns about its ability to raise the money needed for the deal. The former co-CEO of kulula.com and co-founder of LIFT, also represented Global Airways, an aviation leasing company which owns LIFT. They are the minority shareholders in Takatso, and were supposed to contribute aviation expertise to a "new" SAA. The investment fund Harith is the majority partner in the consortium and was responsible for raising money for the deal. Takatso is supposed to take a 51% stake in SAA. In return, they would invest R3-billion in the airline over two years. For its part, Harith said Novick's resignation was "appropriate" given the potential conflicts of interest between LIFT and SAA. On Tuesday, Gordhan told Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts that it was intriguing that Novick resigned from the Takatso board, but did not resign as a partner, likening such an act to "having your cake and eating it". Global Airways and Novick are retaining their stakes in Takatso. "Mr Novick was a small and relatively minor party in a transaction. Just because he happens to be somebody with experience somewhere in his past, as all of us do, doesn't discredit everybody else, nor does it mean that what he puts on the table is something that one must take seriously," Gordhan said. Gordhan said that despite concerns the deal was still moving along. "Issues have emerged in the public domain over the last 24 hours, but that is an internal matter as far as the consortium is concerned and is part of the argy-bargy of such a transaction. The transaction remains both alive and live," said Gordhan. 'Minor party' Gordhan and multiple members of the delegation, which included the Department of Public Enterprises and SAA, told Scopa that the Takatso deal was in a "sensitive" stage, which prevented them from sharing the finer details. Scopa member and Democratic Alliance MP Alf Lees insisted on the committee getting a full report of SAA's financials, saying that Scopa and the South African public must know what SAA's financial position and the process of the transaction was. "This cannot be a closed process. Who is the department talking to at Takatso if the CEO does not know the details? This is a parliamentary committee that is owned by the South African public. To say that performance is better than budget is really treating us with disdain," said Lees. In response to a question from Lees on how SAA hoped to fund the transaction if Takatso did not have the funding, Gordhan said the department had been given an assurance that the deal would not fall through over a lack of funding. SAA CEO and interim chair John Lamola said on 3 November, the Special Investigating Unit was making progress in investigating 23 contracts at SAA relating to general procurement and aircraft leases dating back to 2015-16. "Matters being investigated were indicated without providing detailed information into what they are investigating that all of them are sensitive and withheld so as not to impugn on the reputations of companies under investigation," said Lamola.

Guest: Kaizer Kganyago | Spokesperson at Special Investigating Unit | See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Special Investigating Unit has struck up a partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to pre-empt and combat cybercrime. CSIR Information and Cyber Security Research Centre Manager, Dr Jabu Mtsweni, speaks to Refilwe Moloto about the type of help they can extend to the SIU in efforts to eradicate corruption and maladministration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Special Investigating Unit says it is probing claims that the controversial Gupta family may have sold diamonds that belong to the State

State-owned freight logistics group Transnet intends launching its much-anticipated tender for new locomotives in August, having recorded a 5.6% drop in rail volumes last year as a result of a combination of locomotive shortages and serious operational and security problems. The group lost a total of 1 500 km of overhead copper wire to theft in 2021/22 and was also unable to maintain a number of locomotives, largely as a result of an ongoing dispute with the Chinese Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC), which is refusing to supply the utility with specialised spares. Operational and security difficulties on the main line between Durban and Johannesburg, for example, have resulted in Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) effectively forfeiting all container volumes to road hauliers, which have themselves experienced serious security incidents, often triggered by protests against foreign truck drivers. Speaking during the release of the group's 2021/22 results, CEO Portia Derby said Transnet initially intended launching the locomotive request for proposals (RFP) in July, but the internal deadline was shifted to ensure that various legal and governance matters were dealt with ahead of the tender. Ongoing disputes with some of the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that participated in the so-called ‘10-64' contract for 465 diesel and 599 electric locomotives is core to the delay, as Transnet did not want to proceed until it was satisfied that the tender would not be interdicted. The R50-billion contract, which was halted in 2019 on the basis of it being deemed “irregular and illegal” by Transnet, has featured heavily during proceedings undertaken as part of the State Capture commission, which was chaired by Judge Raymond Zondo, who has since been appointed chief justice. Derby said it was premature to offer specifics about how many locomotives Transnet would seek to procure under the new tender, nor whether diesel locomotives would be prioritised in light of the ongoing theft of overhead cables. She had indicated previously, however, that it was likely that the RFP would be for at least 400 new locomotives, given that Transnet had taken delivery of 595 locomotives under the 10-64 contract. However, with about 300 locomotives currently “parked”, partly as a result of an absence of spares, it is possible that the tender could be enlarged. That said, Derby indicated that an alternative OEM support strategy would be pursued for the existing fleet if the current deadlock with CRRC was not resolved. She said that following a recent successful court application, which was taken together with the Special Investigating Unit, in relation to CRRC's moves to have the review of the 10-64 matter dismissed, Derby said “we are now at least in a position where we can safely start a new procurement event”. “We definitely need additional traction power,” she added. Derby also confirmed that TRF was pressing ahead with a bidding process for the sale of 16 rail slots to third-party operators, despite market misgivings over the design of the slot-sale process. She acknowledged that concerns had been raised, particularly about the two-year duration of the allocation, but said that TFR had committed to making slot sales a permanent feature of the rail business. “It's not a pilot,” Derby insisted, adding that she was optimistic that there would be operators for the slots from April next year, by which time the number of slots would be increased to 42. The bidding process had been delayed as a result of recent flooding in KwaZulu-Natal and the tender would now close at the end of August. In its results statement, the group said it appreciated the importance of improving the performance of TFR's operations. It also stated that “significant progress” had been made towards concluding adjusted long-term contracts with the Coal Export Parties (CEPs) following the force majeure notices issued in April. “Most CEPs have participated in good faith, and we have r...

Fourteen government departments and entities are going to be probed for corruption and maladministation by the Special Investigating Unit after the President gave the go ahead..

The Special Investigating Unit with the help of DENOSA has raided the Limpopo Health Department offices to investigate allegations of corruption. The nursing organization says the raid was long overdue and expects the SIU to find serious wrongdoing in multimillion Rand PPE contracts in the department. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Denosa Limpopo Chairperson, Lesiba Monyaki

The Special Investigating Unit has obtained a preservation order to freeze a luxury property owned by Vhuthanda Investment, whose sole director is a former National Lotteries Commission board chairperson.

Guest: Kaizer Kganyago - SIU spokesperson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Kaizer Kganyago - SIU spokesperson  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Special Investigating Unit, SIU has refuted reports of issuing an apology to former Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize over the Digital Vibes scandal. For clarity on the apology, Elvis Presslin spoke to Mr. Kaizer Kganyago, Spokesperson for the SIU

Two former City of Ekurhuleni officials and a businessman have been jailed for tender fraud, corruption, and money laundering. The two former officials; Nilesh Singh, Andrew Mphushomadi, and businessman Velero David were sentenced and convicted yesterday for an I.T tender fraud amounting to 21-point-8 million rands. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Kaizer Kganyago, Spokesperson for the Special Investigating Unit (the SIU)

Aubrey speaks to representatives from the country's law enforcement agencies, the Special Investigating Unit, the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority, about the progress they are making in fighting corruption. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Public Works Department says it has completed most of the disciplinary hearings against employees implicated in the Beitbridge border fence scandal. This comes after Special Tribunal ordered contractors involved in the R40 million project to pay back their profits earned from the costly development to the department. The fence was put up as part of the COVID-19 emergency procurement in 2020, however, the Special Investigating Unit found that it was irregular. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Acting Director General of the Public Works Department, Imitiaz Fazel 

In early February this year, the Road Accident Fund (RAF) went to court on an urgent basis seeking to interdict the Auditor General's office from publishing its audit findings in Parliament. The AG is opposing this in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. Besides disputes over just how bad it's financials are - whether liabilities exceed R360bn or R30bn - the RAF is also under the hammer with the Special Investigating Unit currently probing years of fraudulent payments to service providers. The Democratic Alliance's Shadow Minister of Transport, Chris Hunsinger, says while the basic fuel price has increased 119% over the last 12 years, contributions to the RAF have skyrocketed by 425% over the same period. BizNews' Michael Appel makes mention of the fact that a bankrupt RAF made headlines several years ago for renting office furniture at R666 per chair per month. In fact, it was worse than his memory serves. The RAF was paying R1,666 per chair per month. Approached for comment, the Auditor General would only confirm that the matter is currently before the courts.

The Gauteng government has suspended at least nine senior officials implicated in irregularities related to the awarding of contracts for the refurbishment of the Anglo Gold Ashanti Hospital in the West Rand. The suspension of the officials from both the health department and the Department of Infrastructure development follows a recommendation by the Special Investigating Unit. The unit had been investigating allegations of irregularities and maladministration in the procurement of goods and services related to the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For further details, here is Gauteng Government spokesperson, Vuyo Mhaga

Duncan McLeod, founder and editor at Techcentral on why President Cyril Ramaphosa requested the Special Investigating Unit to investigate some investments Telkom made in parts of the African continent. Experts discuss how the tension between Russia-Ukraine could affect SA's brittle economy. And for Shapeshifter, Wally Fry,co-founder of Fry's Food Family Company.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Corruption Watch is calling for stricter oversight of government procurement services. This comes after a report by the Special Investigating Unit or SIU revealed that 62% of the finalized investigations into COVID-19 related procurement by the government have been found to be irregular. President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorized the public release of the final report of investigations by the SIU into procurement by all spheres of the government of goods and services associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The report, published on Tuesday does not include details of ongoing investigations into allegations of corruption. Director at Accountability Now, Advocate Paul Hoffman on the latest report

The National Freedom Party says it will be writing to the Public Protector as well as the Special Investigating Unit asking them to probe allegations of corruption in Zululand.

The Presidency has confirmed that it has received the Special Investigating Unit's final report into PPE corruption.

The Special Investigating Unit has been sharing details about its clamp down on service providers that have been overcharging eThekwini Municipality for the supply of PPEs. The SIU says some have been selling non-accredited medical supplies.

The Special Investigating Unit says it's investigating Personal Protective Equipment contracts to the value of R14.8 billion.

The Special Investigating Unit says it's finalised irregular PPE contracts in KZN to value of R2,1 billion.

News headlines: *President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the release of the Special Investigating Unit report into the Digital Vibes corruption scandal that erupted in May this year. *The state capture inquiry has been granted a fifth extension, giving the team three months to complete three years' work. *Envoys from some of the world's richest nations met with South African cabinet ministers on Tuesday to discuss a climate deal that could see billions of dollars put toward ending the country's dependence on coal.

The Special Investigating Unit report into the Digital Vibes Covid-19 communication contract has revealed damning findings against a number of people including former health minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize. President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the publication of the final report n Wednesday. The company was awarded 150-million-rand to provide communication during the Covid19 pandemic last year. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to SABC reporter Ntebo Mokobo, the Democratic Alliance shadow minister of health, Siviwe Gwarube and political analylist, Sanusha Naidu...

Guest: Babalo Ndenze, EWN Parliamentary Corespondent. Former Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize was dishonest when he claimed that the irregular R150 million Digital Vibes contract did not benefit his family wealth.  The corruption was revealed amongst the fraudulent actions made public by President Cyril Ramaphosa's authorisation of the publication of the final report of the Special Investigating Unit into the National Department of Health's award of a National Health Insurance media campaign and subsequent COVID-19 communications to Digital Vibes.    The decision was made in the interest of fairness and in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), following a number of PAIA applications by persons and parties who wished to have sight of the report. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amnesty International says whistle blowers are not getting the protection they deserve. This comes after the murder of senior Gauteng Health Department official, Babita Deokaran. Deokaran was gunned down in Johannesburg after she became one of the witnesses in a Special Investigating Unit probe into multi-million-rand irregular PPE tender in the department. Udo Carelse spoke to Executive Director of  Amnesty International SA, Shenilla Mohamed

Gauteng Health MEC Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi has expressed shock at the death of senior finance officer in the Department, Babita Deokaran. Deokaran was shot outside her home in the south of Johannesburg yesterday, just moments after dropping her child off at school. The 53-year-old later died in hospital. Mokgethi has called on law enforcement to leave no stone un-turned in investigating the shooting. Deokaran was reportedly one of 300 witnesses in Special Investigating Unit probe into PPE purchase irregularities in the department. Sakina Kamwendo spoke tp SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago....

Guest: Pieter-Louis Myburgh | Author of ‘Gangster State' and Investigative Journalist at Daily Maverick An investigation by the Daily Maverick Scorpio team has so far revealed that both health minister Zweli Mkhize, who is currently on special leave, and his family benefited financially from monies disbursed by Digital Vibes.   Investigative journalist, Pieter-Louis Myburgh, says new filings from the Special Investigating Unit concerning its contract with the Department of Health illustrate how the tender process was allegedly ‘rigged' to favour the communications firm. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The DA is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to make public the Special Investigating Unit report of the Digital Vibes corruption scandal.

Government and the Special Investigating Unit have launched the Infrastructure Build Anti-Corruption Forum to prevent corruption in the construction sector. Bongani speaks to Patricia de Lille, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two close associates of Health Minister Zweli Mkhize and other third parties are allegedly at the centre of a questionable communications deal from the department of health.  Digital Vibes is an obscure firm controlled by his former personal spokesperson, Tahera Mather, and Naadhira Mitha, his former personal assistant. It received an R150 million for services linked to the department's National Health Insurance programme and government's fight against Covid-19. In February, the Special Investigating Unit confirmed that it was investigating Mather and Mitha on allegations of benefiting from Covid-19 contracts issued by the department.  We speak to Pieter-Louis Myburgh who writes about the scandal in today's Daily Maverick. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South African Presidency spokesperson Khusela Diko has been allowed more time to respond to the Special Investigating Unit as it continues looking into personal protective equipment corruption.This was revealed by Deputy Minister in the Presidency Thembi Siweya during a question-and-answer session in the National Assembly.Siweya says the presidency deemed it appropriate to grant Ms Diko an extension until March 25 2021 so that she can respond to the allegations.Siweya has also promised to return to the Parliament to provide an update on the matter.

The Special Investigating Unit has launched as investigation into a tender which the national Department of Health awarded to a small company that is allegedly linked to close associates of Health Minister Zweli Mkhize. The department appointed Digital Vibes, a small KwaZulu-Natal- based communications company, in late 2019 through a contentious closed tender to provide communications services for the government's National Health Insurance (NHI) roll-out. The scope of work was extended in March 2020 to include communications services for Covid-19. To date, the firm obtained orders from the department for Covid-19 projects valued at more than R82-million. We spoke to investigative Journalist at the Daily Maverick, Pieter-Louis Myburgh, who broke the story.

The controversial PPE tender awarded to Ledla Structural Development has been cancelled, in a ruling by the Special Tribunal of South Africa. The matter was brought to the tribunal by the Special Investigating Unit which also requested that the 38 million Rand paid out to the company and then distributed to six other entities, be frozen. The tender was clouded with allegations of nepotism and corruption earlier this year and cost Health MEC Bandile Masuku his job. Judge Billy Motlhe also upheld the application to freeze the pension payout of former Health Department Chief Financial Officer Mantsu Lehloenya. We spoke to Advocate Selby Makgatho, spokesperson for the Special Tribunal of South Africa.

The Special Investigating Unit has withdrawn its application to freeze the accounts of the two companies awarded the contract to erect the Beitbridge border post fence. Public Works and Infrastructure department paid Caledon River Properties Limited and Profteam over R21.8 million in advance for the erection of the 40 kilometre barrier, which separates South Africa and Zimbabwe. The fence was procured in terms of the COVID-19 prevention measures to stop the inflow of people from neighbouring countries.We spoke to our reporter Maageketla Mohlabe

The Special Investigating Unit says it has briefed legal counsel with the aim to recover eight billion rand with regard to six contracts at Eskom. These include three point seven billion rand where the contract to supply coal by Gupta-owned Brakfontein mine was set aside. The SIU head, Andy Mothibi has told Scopa that they are hoping to have a further four billion rand worth of contracts set aside.

The Hawks and the Special investigating Unit are still searching for two suspects they believe are linked to the Free State asbestos tender saga, currently under the spotlight at the State Capture Commission in Johannesburg. Six suspects were arrested YESTERDAY (wednesday 30 September), three in the Free Sate and three in Gauteng. Among those arrested are ousted Mangaung Metro Mayor, Olly Mlamleli, who was MEC when the contract was awarded to a Blackhead - Diamond Hill joint venture. The State Capture Commission is probing the 255 million-rand contract awarded to a company by the Free State government for the eradication of asbestos in government houses.

Eskom and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) have issued summonses to recover close to 4-billion rand from former Eskom executives, board members, the Gupta brothers and their business associates. The matter relates to the acquisition of Optimum Coal Holdings - a mine which supplied coal to Eskom through the Guptas.

SABC Board Chairperson, Bongumusa Makhathini, says the public broadcaster is preparing court papers, and will not comment further on the SIU Report until the papers have been lodged in court. The board says it will support the application by the Special Investigating Unit to have the contract between the public broadcaster and Mafoko Security Patrols reviewed and set aside. In a report released yesterday (Sunday -18/08/2019) the SIU found serious irregularities in the procurement and awarding of the 185-million rand tender by former members of the SABC's Interim board in 2017. Hannes Du Buisson, president of the Broadcasting, Electronic, Media & Allied Workers Union (BEMAWU) weighs in on this....

Last year President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised an investigation by the Special Investigating Unit into alleged maladministration at the Media, Information and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA). This in relation to the allocation of discretionary grant funding to a number of companies. The probe also looked into any undisclosed or unauthorised interests which officials or employees of the MICT SETA may have had and the extent of any benefit derived by officials or employees in these companies. And now, the newly appointed CEO Mdu Zakwe promises to overhaul the corrupt-tainted organisation. For more Elvis Presslin spoke to Mdu Zakwe and began by asking how he plans to ensure corruption does not happen under his watch?

The Special Investigating Unit says it has found that there were irregularities in the awarding of several contracts by the SABC. The SIU briefed Parliament this morning on its probe into public broadcaster's unlawful payments. SIU Head Andy Mothibi has outlined the progress of some of the investigations.

Non-governmental organisations, Treatment Action Campaign and SECTION27, together with corruption watchdog Corruption Watch have made public a Special Investigating Unit report that documents widespread corruption totaling to R1,2 billion in the Gauteng Department of Health between 2006-2010. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke Treatment Action Campaign general secretary, Anele Yawa

Senior public servants who often resign to avoid consequences when facing corruption and maladministration charges, will now find it hard to evade prosecution. The Special Investigating Unit is determined to clamp down on these officials. Some of them later emerge in other provinces where they are appointed to government departments or public entities. This emerged during a consultative meeting between the SIU and the Gauteng provincial government in which they pledge to work together to fight corruption, malpractice and maladministration. Wisani Makhubele reports...

President Jacob Zuma has finally authorised the Special Investigating Unit to investigate issues at the SABC. There had been criticism from opposition parties and some civil society groups that Zuma was stalling the process of appointing the SIU. They said Zuma was stalling in a bid to protect axed COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng, former Communications Minister Faith Muthambi and others. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Biko Mutsaurwa, Right to Know's communication organizer

Interim SABC board chairperson, Khanyisile Kweyama says the poublic broadcaster has handed investigations against former acting CEO, James Aguma over to the police's Special Investigating Unit. Aguma resigned yesterday. He was in the middle of a disciplinary hearing, which was suspended following his resignation. Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts has reacted with shock to Aguma's resignation before the conclusion of his disciplinary hearing. Scopa says it takes this as admission of guilt for the financial mess that the SABC finds itself in.

LTE Consulting Engineers is being accused of a billion rand maladministration in a tender for water and sanitation, which was allegedly awarded without following proper procedures. According to media reports, President Jacob Zuma has asked the Special Investigating Unit to investigate the matter. The tender allegedly amounted to R502 million, but then ballooned to R2.7bn within a year. The CEO of LTE HOLDINGS, Thulani Majola, says these claims of tender irregularity and investigation are not true. He says the figure mentioned was a three year projection compiled on the business plan. Sakina Kamwendo speaks to LTE CEO Thulani Majola

Head of the Special Investigating Unit, Vasi Soni, has resigned. Spokesperson Sefura Mongalo says Soni stepped down for personal reasons. Soni has admitted in an interview that his job had been stressful and a serious challenge. Soni, an advocate, was appointed by President Jacob Zuma in September 2013. He indicated he would be going into private practice.