By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a proclamation authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of maladministration and corruption in the affairs of Tshwane metro relating to the Rooiwal waste water treatment plant tender.
The proclamation, signed by Ramaphosa, was gazetted on Friday.
The tender to upgrade the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Plant was awarded to corruption accused, ANC benefactor Edwin Sodi, whose consortium did half the work and was paid R292m, the full value of the contract.
Tshwane employees, who sat on the bid evaluation committee (BEC), all scored Sodi’s consortium 80 points for the tender, despite the company not fitting the grade, placing it above other bidders.
The contract was cancelled in August last year for poor performance and a forensic report subsequently declared the awarding of the tender irregular.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says the probe will include the upgrades to the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works.
“The SIU will also investigate any unauthorised, irregular, or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality or the State. The scope of the investigation also covers any unlawful or improper conduct by officials or employees of the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, 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 2018 and 22 September 2023, the date of the publication of the Proclamation or before 1 January 2018 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 system failures and make systematic recommendations to improve measures to prevent future losses.”
Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink has welcomed the SIU investigation into the botched project.
“This is exactly what the Tshwane Metro asked for, and will help us fight to clean up the city’s tender system. This will also help with possible recovery of money.”
In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU said it 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 also empowered 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.