Latest news with #KaizerKganyago
eNCA
11-07-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
African Anti-Corruption Day comes as SA grapples crime eroding public trust
JOHANNESBURG - Today marks African Anti-Corruption Day, a moment for the continent to reflect on its progress and renew its commitment to ending one of its most stubborn challenges: corruption. Commemorated every year on 11 July the day marks the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC) in 2003. Now in its twenty second year, the convention continues to serve as a continental framework to strengthen accountability and integrity in public service. Some factors include: As the continent recognises progress in the fight against corruption. South Africa grapples with this crime as one of its most urgent problems. It erodes public trust, widens inequality, and weakens democratic institutions. Even the South African Police Service is allegedly tainted. While the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago has noted this he says they still continue their fight against corruption. But they can not do this alone, he says "We have created anti-corruption forums within different entities including the health sector and the local government but we need the whole society approac. Because when we work together we are in a position to fight corruption," he said. Meanwhile reacting to allegations of corruption within the SAPS corruption watch attorney Nkululeko Conco says corruption filters down to the station level but also the involvement of gangs with police especially in the Western Cape.
IOL News
11-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
SIU thwarts R33 million claim and recovers R67 million from Kroucamp Plumbers
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago announces the recovery of R67 million from Kroucamp Plumbers following the Special Tribunal's landmark ruling, which also prevents a potential R33 million loss to the state. Image: File The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured a victory for the state, recovering R67 million from Kroucamp Plumbers (Pty) Ltd after the Special Tribunal reviewed and set aside unlawful contracts awarded by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says the Tribunal's ruling not only recovers public funds but also prevents a potential R33 million loss following the dismissal of a counterclaim brought by Kroucamp Plumbers against the department. The Tribunal declared contracts worth R67 million, awarded between 2015 and 2019 for vacuum pumping of septic tanks and emergency sewage blockage interventions, invalid and unlawful. As a result, the service provider has been ordered to refund all payments received from the department. The financial recovery includes R46 613 873.26 from contracts between 2015 and 2017 and R20 389 052.70 from tenders between 2017 and 2019. The SIU investigation revealed a web of corruption involving falsified bidding documents, undisclosed conflicts of interest, and payments to officials who manipulated the tendering process. "The SIU investigation revealed that Kroucamp Plumbers misrepresented its Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) status, submitted incomplete bidding information, and colluded with departmental officials to secure contracts totalling millions of rand," Kganyago said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The Tribunal further found that Mr. Johannes Jacobus Kroucamp, the director of Kroucamp Plumbers, had abused the corporate structure for personal gain, ultimately jeopardising the interests of the state. Judge D. Makhoba highlighted the seriousness of the misconduct, stating that the tenders "breached constitutional procurement regulations and eroded public trust." As part of the ruling, both contracts were annulled, and Kroucamp Plumbers' juristic personality was revoked, making the company liable for repaying the state. This decision opens the possibility for Mr. Kroucamp to be held personally responsible for the company's debts owed to the state. The investigation was conducted under Proclamation R20 of 2018, which empowered the SIU to probe allegations of maladministration, improper conduct, and corruption within the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure's tender processes. "The SIU is also empowered to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal to address any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations related to corruption, fraud, or maladministration," Kganyago said. "In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU refers any evidence of criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action." IOL News
TimesLIVE
10-07-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Special Tribunal sets aside R67m public works plumbing contracts
The Special Tribunal has declared contracts worth R67m awarded by the department of public works and infrastructure to Kroucamp Plumbers invalid and unlawful and ordered the company to refund the department. The contracts were awarded between 2015 and 2019 and were for services related to vacuum pumping of septic tanks and emergency sewage blockage interventions. The tribunal also dismissed a counterclaim of R33m, which Kroucamp Plumbers had submitted against the department. In a statement, the SIU said it contested the counterclaim, resulting in a favourable outcome for the department. The order follows an investigation conducted by the SIU which uncovered a complex network of corruption involving falsified bidding documents, undisclosed conflicts of interest, and payments made to officials who manipulated the tendering process. The SIU said its investigation revealed that Kroucamp Plumbers misrepresented its B-BBEE status, submitted incomplete bidding information and colluded with departmental officials to secure contracts totalling millions of rand. 'The tribunal determined that the company's director, Johannes Jacobus Kroucamp, exploited the corporate structure for personal gain, thereby jeopardising the interests of the state,' SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said. According to Kganyago, judge David Makhoba emphasised the gravity of the misconduct, indicating that the tenders breached constitutional procurement regulations and eroded public trust. 'The ruling annuls both contracts and revokes the juristic personality of Kroucamp Plumbers, requiring the company to compensate the state for the financial losses incurred. Consequently, Mr Kroucamp may be held personally accountable for the company's debts owed to the state,' Kganyado said. President Cyril Ramaphosa directed the SIU, under Proclamation R20 of 2018, to investigate allegations of serious maladministration, improper conduct and corruption in the awarding of tenders by the department of public works and infrastructure. The SIU is also empowered to institute civil action in the high court or a special tribunal to address any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations related to corruption, fraud or maladministration.
IOL News
01-07-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Health anti-corruption forum recovers R11. 8 million and prevents R6 billion in health sector fraud
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says the Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum's united efforts are crucial in protecting public resources and fighting corruption in the health sector. Image: File The Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum (HSACF) has recovered R11.8 million in cash and assets and prevented losses exceeding R6 billion, marking significant progress in its ongoing efforts to tackle fraud and maladministration in South Africa's health sector. The HSACF held its quarterly meeting on June 27, 2025, bringing together key stakeholders including law enforcement agencies, government departments, civil society, and private sector representatives to assess progress in combating corruption. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said that the HSACF reaffirmed the importance of a collaborative 'whole-of-society' approach to combat corruption, involving civil society, the private sector, and public institutions. This aligns with the National Development Plan's vision of a corruption-free South Africa. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, reported on the status of 106 cases. Of these, 21 are currently under investigation, two are on the court roll, and 69 await decisions from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). These cases involve approximately R3 billion. The SIU shared that it had prevented losses exceeding R6 billion, including R3.1 billion in actual losses and R1.6 billion in potential losses through referrals to provincial health departments. "The SIU also identified 54 fraudulent medico-legal claims and closed 97 investigations, referring cases worth R689 million to the Legal Practice Council, R279 million to the Legal Practitioners' Fidelity Fund, and R412 million to the NPA for further action," said Kganyago. Providing updates on its efforts, the NPA indicated that it had "enrolled 125 cases, finalised 83, and is pursuing 32 cases still on the court roll" stemming from SIU referrals under Proclamation 23 of 2020, which addresses COVID-19-related corruption. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Meanwhile, the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) revealed ongoing investigations into various medical schemes, including governance concerns at Foodmed Medical Scheme, irregularities in multivitamin schemes at GEMS and Polmed, overcharging at Optivest Health Services, and compliance breaches at Sizwe Hosmed Medical Scheme. 'The forum emphasised the need for continued vigilance, stronger preventive measures, and swift prosecution to eliminate fraud and maladministration in the health sector.' Kganyago added. The HSACF will continue to meet quarterly and remains committed to transparency, accountability, and ensuring that progress reports are communicated to relevant oversight bodies and the public. IOL News
IOL News
11-06-2025
- IOL News
SIU freezes Limpopo farm linked to R66 million lottery fraud scheme
The farm Portion 15 of Zandrivierspoort in Limpopo has been frozen by the Special Tribunal after the SIU linked its purchase to R66 million in misappropriated National Lotteries Commission funds meant for old age homes. Image: Pixabay / File The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has obtained a preservation order from the Special Tribunal to freeze immovable property following a sweeping investigation into the alleged looting of National Lotteries Commission (NLC) funds earmarked for the construction of old age homes. The order forms part of a broader crackdown on a complex web of corruption involving the hijacking of Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs), fabricated grant applications, and the diversion of public funds into private hands. SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the probe centred around three NPOs, Matieni Community Centre, Lethabong Old Age Home, and War Against Rape and Abuse (WAR RNA), which collectively received over R66 million in lottery grants 'under false pretences.' One of the central entities in the scheme is Matieni Community Centre, a defunct organisation that was allegedly fraudulently revived to secure funding from the NLC. 'The original members of Matieni Community Centre were unaware of the application, and the individuals listed on the NLC application were not legitimate members,' said Kganyago. Lethabong and WAR RNA were similarly compromised, with falsified documentation submitted by individuals who had no legal standing in the organisations. The SIU's findings paint a damning picture of how the R66 million in public funds were misused. Matieni alone received R23 million from the NLC. Of this, R5.975 million was transferred to the Mbidzo Development Programme, an entity linked to Collin Tshisimba, already implicated in other NLC fraud cases. A further R6.2 million was paid to Wa Rothe Construction. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Lethabong Old Age Home secured R20 million, with R15 million allegedly funneled into Mbidzo's account. WAR RNA also received R20 million, with R5 million redirected to Mbidzo. The investigation uncovered that Mbidzo, under Tshisimba's control, used the funds to pay attorneys for the purchase of a farm in Louis Trichardt, Limpopo. The property was registered under Promise Kharivhe, Tshisimba's life partner. 'The order of the Special Tribunal is part of implementing SIU investigation outcomes and consequence management to recover financial losses suffered by State institutions because of corruption or negligence,' Kganyago said. The preservation order is one of several legal remedies the SIU is pursuing under its statutory mandate. 'The SIU is empowered to institute a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations caused by corruption, fraud, or maladministration,' Kganyago said. The SIU confirmed that any evidence pointing to criminal conduct has been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action, in accordance with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996. IOL News
