The SIU raided Dawid Kruiper Municipality on October 17. Picture: SIU
THE SPECIAL Investigating Unit (SIU), along with the SAPS and the Hawks, raided Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality in Upington after it obtained a warrant to search and seize evidence relating to 24 contracts.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the contracts related to the procurement of external security services between December 2019 and 2020, the appointment of advocates and law firms between 2010 and 2020, and the appointment of a service provider to supply and construct clear-view fencing between 2018 and 2019.
He added that the investigation included the hire of a tractor-loader-backhoe (yellow plant) and a tipper truck for 30 days to develop dump sites in Askham, Welkom, Klein and Groot Mier and Rietfontein.
“We are also probing the procurement of loggers for measuring flows and pressures in pipelines and for the ACIP project from a firm of consulting engineers in 2014 and 2015,” said Kganyago.
He stated that they were also looking into the appointment of a service provider on July 10, 2013, to gather data for financial statements.
“On December 1, 2017, service providers were appointed to hire sound and a stage for the Kersliggies event.”
He added that they were also investigating the construction of internal roads in Rosedale, the upgrading of internal streets and a paving project in Loubos, and the construction of streets in Klein Mier as well as the repair and resurfacing of CBD roads and the construction of the Leseding access road.
“We are also investigating the construction of a new Louisvale Road sewage pump station and an electrification project involving 1,000 houses on the Paballelo and Dakota road and the construction of a bridge between Paballelo and Rosedale.”
The SIU is further probing the construction of four community sports facilities and the planning, design and project management of various park grounds in the municipal area.
It will also examine the designing of civil services for Rosedale, Paballelo, Louisvale Road and Dakota Road, as well as the compilation of an immovable asset register.
Kganyago stated that during the raid on October 18, the SIU and the Hawks collected all payment documentation, including invoices of goods and services received, requisition forms, purchase orders, remittance advice, payment vouchers, reconciliation reports, monthly statements from service providers and deviation forms captured between January 2010 to September 2024.
“Furthermore, the SIU has collected electronic items such as laptops, computers, mobile devices, optical media (DVD/CD), audio recorders, computer data storage mediums, external hard drives, memory sticks and cards.”
He added that the SIU had reason to believe that the “normal route” of requesting information and documents would not have yielded any positive results.
“Hence it was deemed necessary to approach the Upington Magistrate’s Court for a search warrant to seize documents and computers to assist with the ongoing investigation.
“The Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act) empowers the SIU to subpoena bank statements and cellphone records, search and seize evidence and interrogate witnesses under oath to investigate allegations brought before it thoroughly.”
He added that the SIU was also empowered to institute civil action in the high court or a special tribunal to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations caused by corruption, fraud or maladministration.
“The SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action,” Kganyago concluded.