President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed Proclamation R 144 of 2023, authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of maladministration and corruption in the affairs of Gert Sibande Technical Vocational Education and Training College and to recover any financial losses suffered by the State or College.

Proclamation R 144 of 2023 authorises the SIU to probe serious maladministration in connection with the affairs of the College, including the causes of such maladministration, arising from the procurement of, or contracting for goods, works or services in relation to the following contracts:

1. The development and implementation of an online learning and assessment system and a human resource management, recruitment and record-keeping system in terms of a Memorandum of Agreement dated 1 July 2020.
2. The rendering of programme and project management services aligned with innovation and special projects in terms of a Service Level Agreement dated 12 May 2021.
3. The acquisition of fraud and risk management software and additional services in 2019.
4. The acquisition of an encrypted communications solution in 2019.
5. The acquisition of the Head Office main server in 2020.
6. The development of a business continuity process and an information technology strategy in 2020.

The SIU will also investigate any unauthorised, irregular, or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the College or the State. The scope of the investigation also covers any unlawful or improper conduct by officials or employees of the College, the applicable suppliers or service providers, or any other person or entity.

The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that took place between 1 January 2019 and 1 December 2023, the date of the publication of the Proclamation or before 1 January 2019 and after the date of the Proclamation that are relevant to, connected with, incidental to the matters or involves the same persons, entities or contracts investigated. In addition to investigating maladministration, malpractice, corruption and fraud, the SIU will identify systematic failures and make systematic recommendations to improve measures to prevent future losses.

In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers during its investigations to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.

The SIU is empowered by the SIU Act to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigation caused by acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration.

Enquiries:
Kaizer Kganyago
Spokesperson: Special Investigating Unit
082 306 8888 / KKganyago@siu.org.za