By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has ordered the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe the North West government tenders linked to the controversial businessman Suliman Carrim.
The investigation will probe allegations of improper conduct, financial flows and possible losses to the state.
At the centre of the probe is a R168-million contract awarded by the North West Department of Community Safety and Transport Management.
The deal was awarded to a joint venture between Carrim’s Transnat Coach Lines and Ziggy Investments.
Investigators will also scrutinise financial transactions involving the joint venture and late taxi boss Jotham “King Mswazi” Msibi.
The inquiry extends to North West Transport Investment (NTI) – the entity that awarded the tenders and is now under business rescue.
“The SIU has been authorised to investigate significant maladministration in the NTI’s operations regarding the receipt, processing, approval, and payment of claims submitted by Transanat Limited, Ziggy Investments CC, and by the Tansanat Coachlines, Ziggy Investment Joint Venture,” SIU spokesperson Selby Makgatho said.
Carrim is also facing criminal charges after he repeatedly failed to appear before the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry. He has cited serious ill health for his failure to testify since March. The commission will now proceed with the evidence he has already given.
At the same time, the president also signed a proclamation authorising an investigation into the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality’s procurement of security and VIP protection services.
The SIU investigation will determine whether the procurement processes followed were fair, competitive, transparent, equitable, and cost-effective, and whether irregular expenditure was incurred.