DA happy with probe into department | Daily Sun

SIU will investigate the Gauteng Department of Human Settlement over allegations of maladministration in the awarding of tenders.

THE DA gives the investigation the thumbs up.

The party has welcomed the probe into corruption allegations in the Gauteng Department of Human Settlement.

This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s proclamations authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate claims of serious maladministration and recover of any financial losses suffered by the state.

The SIU will look into maladministration claims in the department’s awarding of two tenders. They include the construction of 150 ablution and sanitation facilities at Sicelo Shiceka informal settlement and construction of 180 walk units at Sicelo Shiceka Extension 5.

SIU spokesman, Kaizer Kganyago said the inquiry will also examine whether payments for the contracts adhered to National Treasury guidelines and ascertain whether the payments were irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditures or financial losses for the municipality or the state.

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“The proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that occurred between 1 April 2017 and 13 September 2024, as well as any related activities before 1 April 2017 and after the date of the proclamation that is pertinent to the matters under investigation or involves the same persons, entities or contracts,” said Kganyago.

“Beyond investigating maladministration, corruption and fraud, the SIU will identify systemic failures and recommend measures to prevent future losses.”

The DA said it hopes this will not be another prolonged investigation that leads to no prosecutions of those found guilty by the court.

DA’s Mervyn Cirota said all corruption and maladministration must be dealt with as soon as possible and culprits must be brought to justice.

“Gauteng people have the right to know whether there were any instances of corruption, fraud or maladministration in the allocation of the two tenders by the department,” Cirota said.

“Corruption has plagued service delivery and infringed upon the freedoms of Gauteng residents for too long. Only an accountable DA government can liberate the citizens of our province from corruption and establish a government that actively listens to and serves them by being responsive to their needs.”