
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has finally been authorized to probe the corruption-ravaged KwaDukuza local municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.
The authorization is contained in a gazette signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday and later published on the government gazette and the website of the SIU.
The investigation into the ANC-run municipality will focus on three major tenders. These are the KwaDukuza Mall Bulk Supply which entailed the upgrading of an industrial 33/11 KV substation, KwaDukuza Mall Bulk Supply (not linked to the other one), and a three-year tender for road rehabilitation.
These tenders were allegedly marred by corruption that saw contractors paying thousands in kickbacks to municipal officials, some winning bidders bankrolling political rallies and propping up factions within the ANC.
The information was first brought to light by a whistleblower who wrote to several state agencies asking them to come on board and investigate the municipality.
Almost five years later, Ramaphosa has given the nod to the SIU to act on these allegations that implicate past and present politicians in the municipality.
The investigation will go as far back as July 2018 and look into whether the procurement of the goods and the payments made thereafter were undertaken in a fair, competitive, transparent and equitable manner.
The proclamation also empowers the SIU to recover any losses suffered by the municipality or the State from anyone who would be found to have acted in an improper manner.