SIU recovers R28.5bn in cash, assets and set aside contracts, per reports

The Special Investigating Unit recovered R28.5 billion in cash and assets and set aside billions’ worth of contracts during the 2025/26 financial year, preventing R1.9 billion in potential losses according to official reports.

R28.5 Billion Financial Recovery and Contract Setting-aside

During the 2025/26 financial year, the Special Investigating Unit achieved a total financial benefit of R28.536 billion through direct recoveries and legal interventions, according to IOL. The overall figure encompasses R936 million secured directly in returned cash and assets, alongside R1.9 billion in potential financial losses successfully averted by investigators.

More than R25.7 billion in state contracts were formally set aside through legal proceedings brought before the Special Tribunal and the High Court of South Africa. The unit stated that these court actions protect public funds from unlawful spending and redirect resources back toward intended public purposes.

Investigations Closed and Civil Actions Referred

Investigations remained at the core of the unit’s operations during the period. The Special Investigating Unit closed 5,917 investigations conducted under published proclamations and submitted 48 detailed reports to the Presidency. The completed probes covered major public entities, including the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, Ithala Development Finance Corporation, the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works, Makana Local Municipality, and Tembisa Hospital within the Gauteng Department of Health.

Additional inquiries targeted the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality Water and Sanitation Services, and the Department of Home Affairs. Matters involving evidence of civil wrongdoing valued at R10.7 billion were referred for civil proceedings. The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa investigation emerged as the largest contributor to this total, with civil proceedings initiated for R6 909 991 311.91.

Criminal Referrals and Lifestyle Audits

Alongside civil litigation, the unit lodged 761 criminal referrals with the National Prosecuting Authority, targeting officials, private entities, and individuals suspected of criminal wrongdoing. A separate administrative step saw 460 officials referred to their respective state institutions for disciplinary action. To strengthen institutional integrity, the unit expanded its capacity through secondment agreements to conduct lifestyle audits at eight departments and state-owned entities, including the Community Schemes Ombud Service, Housing Development Agency, Independent Police Investigative Directorate, and the Northern Cape Office of the Premier.

Whole of Society Approach to Anti Corruption

Appearing before Parliament’s portfolio committee on justice and constitutional development, Special Investigating Unit head Leonard Lekgetho emphasized that safeguarding public funds demands broad collaboration across institutions.

Fighting corruption and demanding good governance is not one person’s job. It requires a whole-of-society approach involving government, law enforcement agencies, investigative and oversight institutions, whistle-blowers, civil society, the media, businesses, and every citizen.

Leonard Lekgetho

Lekgetho noted that the unit also maintained an unqualified audit outcome for the financial year, reflecting sound governance and careful financial management.