Special Investigating Unit to probe vaccine projects and SAA over alleged mismanagement and losses
President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the SIU to investigate alleged irregularities, maladministration, and financial losses in vaccine research projects and South African Airways, ensuring accountability, transparency, and compliance with state policies and legislation.
Image: Phando Jikelo
President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate alleged irregularities, maladministration, and unlawful conduct in major state institutions, including those involved in vaccine research and development, as well as South African Airways (SAA).
The SIU has been tasked with probing procurement and contracting processes linked to four vaccine research projects at the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
The projects include developing a National Vaccine Manufacturing Strategy, finalising an overarching vaccine development strategy, and initiatives related to a Virus-Like Particles (VLP) platform.
SIU spokesperson Kazier Kganyago said the unit will examine whether the contracts “were conducted in a manner that was not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable or cost-effective”.
He added that the investigation would also look into potential violations of legislation, National Treasury guidelines, circulars, and internal institutional procedures. The inquiry covers alleged irregularities that occurred between 1 January 2021 and 19 December 2025.
Proclamation 303 of 2025 amends a previous proclamation on SAA, extending the investigation to include South African Airways Technical and broadening the scope of procurement activities under review.
The SIU will examine maintenance, repair, and operations services, including transportation services for cabin crew at various outstations, he said.
Kganyago said the amendment “strengthens the SIU’s mandate to thoroughly investigate any undisclosed or unauthorised interests that board members, vendors, employees, officials, or agents of the institutions may have had with bidders, suppliers, contractors, investors, shareholders or their agents or other related parties”.
The amended proclamation also extends the period under investigation to cover 1 January 2002 through 19 December 2025.
Kganyago said the SIU is authorised to refer any criminal conduct uncovered to the National Prosecuting Authority and may initiate civil proceedings in the High Court or a Special Tribunal to recover financial losses suffered by the State.
hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za
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