The Special Investigating Unit has recovered and protected R28.5 billion for the state during the 2025/26 financial year in what marks one of the corruption-busting agency’s most successful periods.
The unit prevented potential losses of R1.9 billion, recovered R936 million in cash and assets, and secured the cancellation of unlawful contracts worth more than R25.7 billion through court proceedings.
The figures reveal the scale of corruption and irregular spending in government departments and state entities over the past year. The SIU closed 5 917 investigations during the period and submitted 48 reports to the Presidency detailing the outcomes.
Major investigations completed
The reports covered investigations into several high-profile institutions, including the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, Ithala Development Finance Corporation, and the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality’s Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works.
Other probes focused on Makana Local Municipality, Tembisa Hospital in Gauteng, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, eThekwini’s water and sanitation services, and the Department of Home Affairs.
The unit referred matters involving civil wrongdoing valued at R10.7 billion for court proceedings. The PRASA investigation alone accounted for R6.9 billion in civil proceedings instituted by the SIU.
Criminal referrals and disciplinary action
The SIU made 761 criminal referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority involving officials, private companies and individuals suspected of breaking the law.
A further 460 officials were referred to their employers for disciplinary action, ensuring those implicated in wrongdoing face consequences through proper channels.
The unit also conducted lifestyle audits at several departments and entities, including the Community Schemes Ombud Service, Housing Development Agency, Independent Police Investigative Directorate, Northern Cape Office of the Premier, and the Gauteng and Limpopo departments.
Whole-of-society approach needed
SIU Head Leonard Lekgetho said fighting corruption requires effort from everyone in society, not just law-enforcement agencies.
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“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, whistleblowers, civil society, the media, businesses and every citizen,” Lekgetho said.
“If we’re serious about ending the scourge of corruption, we need to ensure that the opportunity to commit corruption is reduced, the ability to conceal corruption is weakened, and that those responsible face appropriate consequences.”
The Special Investigating Unit operates under the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act of 1996, which allows it to probe serious wrongdoing in state institutions and investigate the misuse of public money and state assets.
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