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Special Investigating Unit- South Africa, 74 Watermeyer Street, Pretoria (2026)

14/09/2026

Update: More Marble Hall Licensing Officials Behind bars

On Monday, 14 September 2026, eight people appeared before the Groblersdal Magistrate Court in Limpopo. This follows joint operation by Special Investigating Unit (SIU), South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence and Sekhukhune District Tactical Investigating team, which led to four arrests on Friday and four more people handing themselves over to the police. The accused are allegedly involved in a “cash-for-driver’s licence” corruption scheme at the Marble Hall Driving Licence Testing Centre in Limpopo. They are facing charges of fraud and corruption.

The eight accused are:

1.Linah Mabitshela (53)- Cashier (Natis officer)
2.Collen Lwazi Mtshali(57)- Runner
3.Ephraim Mocheko (62)- Traffic Examiner for driving licenses and ENatis Officer
4.Dina Makena (49)- Cashier (Natis Officer)
5.Mpho April Aphane (43)- Driving School owner
6.Petrus Herman Raga (48)- Management Representative/ Examiner of Vehicles, driving licenses and Natis Officer
7.Selemogae Molepo (63)-Cashier (Natis Officer)
8.Leuba Monama (63)-Cashier (Natis Officer)

The matter has been postponed until 21 September 2026 for address verification and to check for previous or current criminal records.

All accused will remain in custody until 21 September 2026 for bail application.

14/09/2026

SIU AUTHORISED TO INVESTIGATE NORTH WEST TRANSPORT INVESTMENTS, AMENDMENTS MADE TO THE ETHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY’S SECURITY AND VIP PROTECTION SERVICES INVESTIGATION

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a new proclamation and an amendment that empower the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of serious maladministration, corruption, and irregular expenditure at the North West Transport Investments (SOC) Limited (NTI) and the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.

The SIU is mandated to recover any financial losses incurred by the State or these institutions as a result of corruption or maladministration.

Proclamation 348 Of 2026 – NTI

The President has directed the SIU to investigate the affairs of the NTI, its wholly owned subsidiary, North West Star (SOC) Limited (NSL), and the Atteridgeville Bus Service (SOC) Limited (ABS), which is also a wholly owned subsidiary of NSL.

The SIU will investigate the procurement and contracting processes related to the following:
• Fuel supplied by Zentrafor Fuel (Pty) Limited, trading as FuelU.
• Vehicle rental services provided under a Vehicle Rental Agreement dated 28 July 2023.
• Commuter bus services outlined in a Sub-Contractor Agreement dated 7 July 2023, by or on behalf of the NTI, as well as the payments made for these services.
The SIU has also been authorised to investigate significant maladministration in the NTI’s operations regarding the receipt, processing, approval, and payment of claims submitted by Tansanat Coachlines (Pty) Limited, Ziggy Investments CC, and the Tansanat Coachlines (Pty) Limited Ziggy Investment CC Joint Venture.
The SIU will examine whether these operations were conducted in breach of applicable legislation and guidelines issued by the National Treasury or the relevant Provincial Treasury. The investigation will also examine actions taken by the Business Rescue Practitioner appointed on 21 July 2022, their agents, or NTI employees; whether individuals or entities received undue benefits; and whether this resulted in serious maladministration, causing actual or potential losses to the NTI or the State.

Proclamation 348 of 2026 - eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality

The President amended Proclamation 226 of 2024 by extending the investigation period and the procurement of several services.

Proclamation 226 of 2024 authorised the SIU to investigate the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality's procurement of security and VIP protection services. It now also includes the procurement or contracting of security and VIP protection services under contract numbers CMS 0031, 1C 15104, 1C 18709, 1C 20359, 1X 31747, and 1C 29300, along with any subsequent extensions or variations made by or on behalf of the municipality, including relevant payments.

The SIU investigation will determine whether the procurement processes followed were fair, competitive, transparent, equitable, and cost-effective, and whether irregular expenditure was incurred.

In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU will refer any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.

The SIU is also authorised under the SIU Act to initiate a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to address any wrongdoing identified during its investigation resulting from acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration.

11/09/2026

UPDATE: The operation has produced three more arrests. These are cashiers at the Licensing Testing Station. Two of them are 63-year-old women and the other is a 53-year-old woman. Cash was found on these cashiers. One hid about R4500 in her lower undergarment. Another hid the R800 in her bosom.

They are charged with fraud, corruption and contravention of the Cyber Act for tampering with the eNatis system.

11/09/2026

JOINT SAPS CRIME INTELLIGENCE AND SIU OPERATION LEADS TO ARREST OF SUSPECT IN MARBLE HALL LEARNER’S LICENCE CORRUPTION

A joint operation between the South African Police Service (SAPS) Crime Intelligence and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has led to the arrest of a suspect allegedly involved in a “cash-for-driver’s licence” corruption scheme at the Marble Hall Driving Licence Testing Centre in Limpopo.

The suspect was arrested by SAPS and was found in possession of several learner’s licences. The operation remains ongoing in Marble Hall, with further arrests possible.

The intelligence-led operation intercepted suspects from KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo who were allegedly en route to collect illicitly issued learner’s licences.

The SIU’s investigation, conducted under its Department of Transport proclamation, found that a suspect from KwaZulu-Natal allegedly solicited R2 000 per licence from applicants, promising to secure learner’s licences without them undergoing the required testing process. The suspect allegedly coordinated with an accomplice in Limpopo, who in turn worked with examiners at the Marble Hall testing centre to process fraudulent applications.

Intelligence gathered during the investigation indicated that the syndicate facilitated bulk transactions involving between 20 and 30 learner’s licences at a time, effectively bypassing lawful licensing procedures.

Under Proclamation R.37 of 2017, as amended by Proclamation 191 of 2024, the SIU is authorised to investigate allegations of corruption within the licensing division, including the unlawful issuing of learner’s licences, manipulation of the National Traffic Information System and unlawful conduct by officials.

The investigation will continue, and criminal and disciplinary action will follow against any persons found to have participated in or facilitated the alleged corruption.

This operation demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration between the SIU and SAPS Crime Intelligence in using investigative evidence and intelligence-led policing to identify and disrupt criminal networks operating within public institutions.

Corruption at licensing centres will not be tolerated. SAPS and the SIU remain committed to protecting the integrity of the licensing system and ensuring that those who undermine lawful processes are brought to account.

10/09/2026

| SIU GRANTED ORDER TO FREEZE THREE PROPERTIES AND FIVE VEHICLES LINKED TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF A LIBRARY IN KZN

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured a provisional preservation order from the Special Tribunal, freezing three properties and five vehicles associated with Liyabongeka Trading Enterprise CC and its owner, Ms Thabile Jacqueline Xaba.

Xaba is a contractor appointed by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (KZNDSAC) to construct a modular library in Ntunjambili, located in the rural Maphumulo Local Municipality within the iLembe District Municipality.

The order interdicts and restricts Liyabongeka Trading Enterprise and Xaba, and anyone with knowledge of the order, from selling, leasing, donating, transferring, disposing of, tampering with, or otherwise dealing with the assets in a manner that could diminish their value.
The preserved assets consist of three properties – two located in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, and one in Ruimsig, Gauteng – and five vehicles: a Ford Ranger Double Cab 2.2L 2WD HR, an Isuzu KB 200L, a Bell 315SL Backhoe Loader LTB 4X4, a Land Rover Evoque, and a Peugeot 305.
The preservation order follows an SIU investigation that uncovered procurement and contractual irregularities, including prohibited and undisclosed subcontracting, significant deviations from the approved specifications and Bill of Quantities (BOQ), and financial irregularities.

This followed KZNDSAC's entry into a service level agreement (SLA) with Liyabongeka Trading Enterprise on 28 February 2020, valued at R3,422,700.38, for the construction of the Ntunjambili Library. The contractor was appointed despite not achieving the highest evaluation score or submitting the most cost-effective bid.

The project was part of the department’s infrastructure programme to expand access to public library facilities in underserved communities. The SLA required the contractor to construct and supply the library in accordance with the approved proposal, meet agreed timeframes, exercise due care and skill, and submit certified invoices with supporting documentation.

Construction halted after the national COVID-19 lockdown was announced, leaving the library unfinished. The provincial department subsequently approved an additional R641,541.14, which was paid on 22 July 2020, for an extension period and COVID-19-related expenditure. However, the SIU found that parts of the additional funding, which brought the total contract value to R4,064,151.52, were claimed through allegedly fraudulent invoices for goods and services that were not provided.

Evidence from a company that provided quotations and inspected work on the project further supported SIU’s findings. The company confirmed that it carried out site preparation but did not perform fencing or tarring. Its quotations, based on the department’s drawings and its standard technical specifications, were R1,708,385.95 for the modular library structure and R44,729.96 for a guard hut.

An independent technical forensic report also identified material non-compliance with the approved specifications, including reduced wall thickness, under-execution of fencing, non-compliant civil works and unjustified contingency claims. These findings resulted in quantifiable over-claiming.

The evidence obtained by the SIU indicates that the payments made by the KZNDSAC to Liyabongeka Trading Enterprise resulted in the contractor’s enrichment at the expense of the KZNDSAC and, ultimately, the public fiscus.

Liyabongeka Trading Enterprise and Xaba must, on 7 October 2026, convince the Special Tribunal why the preservation order must not be made permanent. The matter could not be heard on 4 September because the Sheriff could not locate some respondents.

08/09/2026

| SIU WELCOMES JUDGMENT DECLARING PHOENIX LOW-COSTING HOUSING ARRANGEMENTS UNLAWFUL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL AS THREE SERVICE PROVIDERS UNDULY BENEFITED CLOSE TO R30 MILLION

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) welcomes the judgment handed down by the Special Tribunal declaring unlawful and unconstitutional the arrangements under which Woodglaze Trading (Pty) Ltd, Madupha Business Enterprise CC and Ready Homes CC were appointed to develop low-cost housing in Phoenix, eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal.

The order follows an investigation by the SIU, which found that three service providers for the low-cost housing project unlawfully benefited approximately R29 141 421. The service providers’ names are Woodglaze Trading, Madupha Business Enterprise, and Ready Homes.

The Special Tribunal found that the procurement irregularities in the matter were “not minor administrative slips” but went “to the heart of Section 217 of the Constitution, the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), and the municipality’s supply chain management regime”.

The matter stems from a 2000 resolution by the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality to use vacant sites in Phoenix for affordable housing for first-time homebuyers in lower- and middle-income groups under its Human Settlements Infill Housing Programme (MHSIHP).

The municipality intended to sell vacant serviced land to service providers for R30,000 and bulk sites without municipal services for R100,000, excluding VAT. The service providers would develop the sites into residential dwellings and sell them to beneficiaries approved by the Municipal Housing Department.

On 5 September 2002, the municipality advertised for service providers to take over and develop 130 sites within two years.

However, the SIU’s investigation found that Madupha Business Enterprise and Ready Homes were appointed and continued participating in the programme without prior public advertisement, consideration and recommendation by a Bid Evaluation Committee (BEC), or Bid Adjudication Committee (BAC).

Woodglaze Tradings’s continued participation was similarly not reviewed in accordance with the statutory framework or subjected to a public procurement process.

The municipality subsequently amended its appointment letter to allow Woodglaze Trading to take over a house previously allocated to Universal Property Development, which had failed to perform.

The investigation further established that Madupha Business Enterprise and Ready Homes were originally subcontractors to Sahamba Construction, the successfully appointed service provider, and that the terms of their participation and allocation of sites were negotiated and arranged with parties within the municipality.

The SIU traced 18 properties forming part of the MHSIHP that were sold by the municipality to Woodglaze Trading, Madupha Business Enterprise and Ready Homes and subsequently sold to third parties.

The investigation found that the three service providers acted contrary to the purpose of the programme by selling properties to people who were not approved beneficiaries and who may not have been first-time homebuyers or within the applicable subsidy income band. Some sites were also developed for purposes not provided for under the programme, including business parks and shops, while the service providers retained the proceeds from the sales.

In some instances, properties sold by the municipality for R34,200 were subsequently sold by the service providers for amounts ranging from R350,000 to R9 million. For example, a stand situated at 155 Canehaven Drive was sold by the municipality to Woodglaze for R21,090 and subsequently sold to an unapproved beneficiary for R9.54 million.

Woodglaze unlawfully benefited from the MHSIHP to the value of R25,321,099, Madupha Business Enterprise R2,256,894, and Ready Homes R1,563,428.

The Tribunal has declared the arrangements under which the three service providers were appointed unlawful and constitutionally invalid.

The Tribunal further ruled that:
• No debatement of account or disgorgement order be made at this stage, meaning there is no immediate repayment order.
• The three service providers may complete dwellings already commenced at the date of the judgment and sell completed dwellings in accordance with applicable law.
• Service providers are prohibited from commencing construction of any new dwellings under the invalid arrangements.
• Should eThekwini wish to continue developing further dwellings under the programme, it must institute a lawful procurement process compliant with the Constitution, the MFMA, the applicable supply chain management framework and its own procurement policies.
• Where any of the three service providers has paid for undeveloped sites and concluded contracts with third parties, they may continue completing buildings on those sites.
• Where sites remain undeveloped and have not been sold to third parties, the respondents may place further evidence before the Tribunal for consideration of just and equitable relief.

The SIU is empowered by Proclamation R.9 of 2021 to probe allegations of maladministration, fraud, and improper conduct within eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality.

The SIU remains committed to protecting public resources, advancing clean governance, and reinforcing constitutional values in the management of State contracts.

04/09/2026

SIU AUTHORISED TO INVESTIGATE FIVE TENDERS IN THE EASTERN CAPE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND INFRASTRUCTURE

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed Proclamation 344 of 2026, authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of serious maladministration, corruption, irregular expenditure, and unlawful or improper loss of public funds at the Eastern Cape Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, and to recover any losses incurred by the State or the department.

The investigation will focus on the procurement of, or contracting for, goods, works or services by or on behalf of the department in relation to the following tenders:
1. Upgrading of Road DR08125 from the N2 to Sipetu Hospital (Phase 1) =10km
2. Urgent Re-Gravelling of DR 18033 and DR08288
3. Emergency Preparation of Road, Platform and Parking for the former Gauteng Economic Development MEC Nkosiphendule Kolisile’s Funeral
4. Emergency gravelling on DR08076 for Flood damage repairs to gravel roads in the Elundini LMA – 08076.
5. Appointment of a Service Provider(s) to Provide Security Services for Head Office Clusters for a Period of 36 Months.

The SIU will investigate whether the procurement process, contracting and related payments were conducted in a manner that was unfair, non-competitive, non-transparent, inequitable or not cost-effective; contrary to applicable legislation; or inconsistent with manuals, guidelines, practice notes, circulars or instructions issued by National Treasury or the relevant Provincial Treasury, as well as the department’s own policies, procedures, prescripts, instructions or practices.

The investigation will further determine whether the contract was tainted by improper or unlawful conduct by officials, employees or agents of the department, service providers, or any other person or entity, with the intention of corruptly or unduly benefiting themselves or another person or entity.

The SIU will also investigate allegations of fraud and any related unauthorised, irregular, or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the department or the State.
The investigation will cover the period from 1 January 2021 to 09 September 2026, the date on which the Proclamation was published.

In terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act, 1996 (Act No. 74 of 1996), the SIU is empowered to investigate the allegations, institute civil proceedings in the Special Tribunal or High Court and take appropriate steps to recover financial losses suffered by the State.

The SIU Act further empowers the Unit to institute civil proceedings in its own name before the Special Tribunal or High Court to address any wrongdoing identified during its investigation arising from acts of corruption, fraud or maladministration.

02/09/2026

| SIU WELCOMES FREEZING OF THE IT MANAGER'S PENSION FUND LINKED TO R5.27 MILLION FRAUDULENT GREATER KOKSTAD LOCAL MUNICIPALITY SOFTWARE TENDER

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured an interim preservation order from the Special Tribunal preventing the KwaZulu-Natal Joint Municipal Pension Fund (NJMPF) from disbursing pension benefits worth R2,768,021.42 to former Greater Kokstad Local Municipality IT Manager, Mr Yaw Owusu-Boakye.

This comes after the SIU’s investigation revealed that Owusu-Boakye was the beneficial owner of Obytech Solutions (Pty) Ltd, a company that was awarded a R5.27 million tender by the Greater Kokstad Local Municipality to renew software licenses for three years.

The order, granted by the Special Tribunal, interdicts the NJMPF from doing “anything that may in any other way encumber or prejudice the value of the monies held or administered by it” in respect of the pension benefits due to Owusu-Boakye.

The preservation order follows an SIU investigation into the affairs of the Greater Kokstad Local Municipality, including the lawfulness of the tender awarded to Obytech Solutions for the renewal of software licenses.

The SIU investigation found that Owusu-Boakye allegedly manipulated the procurement process to secure the appointment of his company through fraudulent misrepresentations in its bid documents.

The municipality made three payments to Obytech Solutions in respect of the software license renewal contract, including R1,227,875.55 on 5 March 2023; R2,815,652.74 on 26 July 2023; and a further R1,227,875.55 on 24 January 2025. The payments totalled R5,271,403.84.

Further investigation found that Owusu-Boakye was a signatory to Obytech Solutions’ bank account and had sole control over the funds held in the account.

According to the SIU’s findings, the municipality received little or no value for money from the services provided by Obytech Solutions. The investigation identified significant non-delivery under the contract, valued at R3,465,835, with proceeds allegedly used to fund personal expenses and lifestyle. He resigned in June 2025 after the SIU investigation began.

On 31 March 2026, the SIU launched an application before the Tribunal seeking to review and set aside the Greater Kokstad Local Municipality’s decision to appoint Obytech Solutions to provide the three-year software license renewal services. The SIU is also seeking an order directing Obytech Solutions to repay the profits derived from the tender.

The investigation is authorised by Proclamation 244 of 2025, which empowers the SIU to investigate two tenders awarded by the Greater Kokstad Local Municipality. These include the appointment of a service provider to supply and renew software licenses for three years and the appointment of a service provider to provide customer care and information technology (IT) service desk solutions.

The preservation order forms part of the SIU’s efforts to implement investigation outcomes and ensure consequence management, including the recovery of financial losses suffered by state institutions as a result of corruption, fraud and maladministration.

In terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU is empowered to institute civil proceedings in the High Court or Special Tribunal to address wrongdoing uncovered during its investigations.
The SIU also refers evidence pointing to criminal conduct to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action, in accordance with the Act.

01/09/2026

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Mr Leonard Gaoretelelwe Lekgetho as head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), effective 1 September 2026.

01/09/2026

| SIU WELCOMES ARREST OF GOVINDRAJU SYNDICATE KINGPIN LINKED TO TEMBISA HOSPITAL R2 BILLION PROCUREMENT CORRUPTION

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) welcomes the arrest of Mr Stefan Joel Govindraju, who made his first appearance before the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court at Palm Ridge on Monday, 31 August 2026.

Govindraju faces multiple charges arising from allegations of the procurement of medical supplies and equipment at Tembisa Hospital. The charges include 70 counts of fraud, theft, money laundering and corruption-related offences. In April 2025, the SIU referred evidence of criminal conduct to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), linking Govindraju and Tembisa Hospital officials who were part of his syndicate in fraud and corruption at the hospital.

The arrest follows the SIU’s ongoing investigation into procurement irregularities and alleged corruption at Tembisa Hospital in Gauteng, including the activities of three main alleged procurement syndicates, one of which is the Govindraju Syndicate, formerly known as Syndicate X. To date, the SIU has found that the Govindraju Syndicate siphoned approximately R600 million from the hospital.

The SIU’s investigation has identified 75 companies linked to Govindraju that traded with Tembisa Hospital. During 2020 and 2023, these entities were awarded 1,237 contracts through a purported three-quotation procurement process that allegedly failed to comply with applicable procurement prescripts. Among the companies linked to Govindraju that traded with Tembisa Hospital are Diolinx (Pty) Ltd and Fuligenix (Pty) Ltd.

The SIU has so far identified a number of assets linked to Govindraju with a combined value of approximately R150 million.

The SIU further identified approximately R100 million in payments from companies linked to the alleged Govindraju syndicate to former and current Tembisa Hospital officials involved in supply chain management. These payments are suspected to be kickbacks.

The officials allegedly involved in the scheme were responsible for various stages of the procurement process, including identifying needs, sourcing service providers linked to Govindraju, adjudicating and recommending their appointment, approving appointments, certifying compliance with procurement regulations, confirming the delivery of goods and services, issuing proof of payment, and facilitating payments to the service providers.

Govindraju has also been linked to Ms Duduzile Nkosazana Nobungwana, a former supply chain clerk at Tembisa Hospital and 11 other officials. The SIU’s investigation traced funds allegedly used to acquire Nobungwana’s property in Midstream to payments made by companies within the network, including entities linked to Govindraju’s syndicate.

The SIU subsequently obtained a preservation order from the Special Tribunal in respect of the Midstream property, valued at approximately R6.4 million. In addition, Nobungwana’s pension benefits, valued at approximately R1.8 million and held by the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) and administered by the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA), have been preserved.

Govindraju has also been linked to Mr Zacharia Tshisele, an Operational Nursing Manager at Tembisa Hospital, who was able to initiate Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes as an “end-user” and facilitate payments by confirming the receipt of goods.

Tshisele has since paid R13, 530,904.27 to the SIU, representing a portion of his ill-gotten gains. The SIU’s civil investigation to recover all proceeds of corruption from Tshisele remains ongoing.

The SIU remains determined to root out corruption across every government department, municipality and public entity where it is mandated to investigate.

The SIU is authorised by Proclamation 136 of 2023 to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of the Gauteng Department of Health and Tembisa Hospital. The investigation is ongoing.

In terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU refers evidence of possible criminal conduct uncovered during its investigations to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for consideration and further action. The SIU is also empowered to initiate civil proceedings in the High Court or Special Tribunal to recover financial losses suffered by the State.

Special Investigating Unit- South Africa

14/09/2026

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