President Cyril Ramaphosa has ramped up his efforts to combat corruption by granting the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) the authority to investigate significant claims of mismanagement and illegal activities at two important state entities, the Department of Home Affairs and the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).

Proclamation 154 of 2024 gives the SIU extensive authority to probe various suspected irregularities at Home Affairs, including dodgy visas, citizenship rights, and the firewalls scandal.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said an investigation will be conducted into the questionable granting of visas and citizenship, specifically looking into permanent residence permits, corporate visas, and different work and study visas that may have been issued in breach of immigration and citizenship regulations.

He stated that the SIU will also look into the installation of T200 firewalls to see if any improper or illegal behavior among officials or staff members occurred. According to Kganyago, the SIU’s investigative scope will be expanded to cover a wide range of incidents, spanning a two-decade period from 2004 to 2024.

“The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that took place between 12 October 2004 and 16 February 2024, the date of the publication of the Proclamation, or before 12 October 2004 and after the date of the Proclamation that are relevant to, connected with, incidental to the matters, or involve the same persons, entities, or contracts investigated,” said Kganyago.

Proclamation 153 of 2024 gives the SIU authority to address corruption and mismanagement at PRASA, with a focus on the Swifambo Train scandal, the Siyangena Technologies tender, the issue of ghost employees, and fraudulent insurance claims.

This means that the SIU will investigate the 2012 tender awarded to Swifambo Rail Leasing for locomotives that were considered unsuitable for South Africa’s rail network, sparking corruption concerns.

The SIU will also focus on the 2015 tender given to Siyangena Technologies for a security system at train stations, looking into possible irregularities. The investigation will pay close attention to liability claims that PRASA’s Group Insurance Department processed and paid, as well as further look into PRASA’s “Project Zivese” report from 2021, which revealed suspected employment of non-existent workers.

This extensive investigation spans over a 14-year timeframe, aiming to reveal not just illegal behavior but also pinpoint structural vulnerabilities and suggest enhancements to avoid future setbacks.

“The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that took place between 1 January 2010 and 16 February 2024, the date of the publication of the Proclamation, or before 1 January 2010 and after the date of the Proclamation that are relevant to, connected with, incidental to the matters or involve 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,” Kganyago said.

Kganyago emphasized that the SIU is empowered to uncover evidence of criminal activity and refer it to the National Prosecuting Authority for potential legal action. Furthermore, the SIU is empowered to seek civil justice by filing civil lawsuits in the Special Tribunal to recover any financial losses suffered by the state due to corruption, fraud, or mismanagement.