The Special Tribunal has granted the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) an urgent preservation order freezing a Limpopo property and a vehicle linked to individuals and companies implicated in an allegedly irregular Eskom tender. The order, issued by Justice Mavis Victor on 24 November 2025 under case number GP27/2025, aims to secure assets while the SIU pursues legal action to recover state losses.

The matter involves twelve respondents, including private individuals, engineering and consulting companies, Eskom Holdings, and the Office of the Deeds Registry. The SIU approached the Tribunal seeking to prevent the disposal of assets believed to be tied to questionable procurement processes at Eskom.

The Tribunal enrolled the application under Rule 10(7) of its rules, allowing the case to proceed urgently. Using powers provided under section 8(2) of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the Tribunal issued prohibitory orders preventing respondents from dealing with the assets pending a full review of the tender award.

Justice Victor prohibited the first and second respondents, Johannes Seroke Malapitsa and Ndiyafhi Denge, as well as any person aware of the order, from selling, leasing, transferring, or encumbering a property described as Erf 647 Bendor in Polokwane. The 846-square-metre immovable asset, registered under deed number T72867/2016, must remain insured to the satisfaction of the SIU.

The Tribunal also froze a Nissan NP200 belonging to the first respondent. The vehicle, identified through its engine and chassis details and bearing the registration number XGW737W, may not be sold or transferred and must be insured against theft or damage. The Tribunal ordered that all NaTIS documents for the vehicle be handed over to the SIU within three days.

All asset-freezing directives take immediate effect and will remain in place until the SIU files and finalises a review application challenging the legitimacy of Eskom’s decision to award contract number 4600062102. The review must be instituted by 22 December 2025. The SIU will seek to overturn Eskom’s awarding of the tender to Buzwe Geomatics Engineering Services, NTG Solutions, and Litha Langa Consulting—listed as the sixth, eighth, and ninth respondents.

The Tribunal order allows the SIU to pursue additional civil proceedings against the first to ninth respondents where claims for financial recovery can be substantiated. The preservation order will remain active until the last of these legal actions is concluded.

Respondents have been informed of their right to apply for reconsideration under Rule 12(9) of the Special Tribunal Rules. They will be required to attend judicial case management sessions organised by the Registrar or the Tribunal Clerk, where timelines for further filings and the reconsideration hearing will be confirmed.

In a further step to secure the immovable property, the Deeds Registry in Pretoria has been instructed to register a caveat against Erf 647 Bendor. The caveat prevents transfer or encumbrance of the property without written consent from the SIU in relation to any sale agreement, or without authorisation from either the Tribunal or another competent court.

The Tribunal ordered that the costs of the ex parte application will be costs in the cause, to be determined once the main legal proceedings conclude.

Justice Victor instructed that the order and supporting application be served on all respondents without delay. The SIU may return to the Tribunal with supplemented papers seeking variation or extension of the order. The Unit is also permitted to approach any competent court for further relief or variation if required.

The SIU emphasised its mandate when confirming the ruling. “The SIU is empowered to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigations caused by acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration,” SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said. He added that, under the SIU Act, any evidence of criminal conduct identified during investigations is referred directly to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action.

The order was signed by Justice M. Victor, President of the Special Tribunal, on 24 November 2025.