President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate six projects in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and the Buffalo City Metropolitan Development Agency over allegations of serious maladministration, corruption and irregular expenditure.

The investigation follows the signing of Proclamation 350 of 2026, which gives the SIU a mandate to investigate procurement and contracting linked to several projects in Buffalo City.

SIU spokesperson Selby Makgotho said the unit would investigate allegations involving the procurement of goods, works and services and determine whether the state or affected institutions suffered financial losses.

The investigation covers the Mdantsane NU2 Swimming Pool Project, the appointment of First New Generation Trading (Pty) Ltd to demolish existing walls, and the appointment of Lefito Trading, trading as Kuyasa Electrical Contractors, for the removal of the Donkin wall and installation of palisades.

It will also examine the appointment of consulting engineers and the main contractor for the Water World Project.

The SIU will investigate allegations of serious maladministration and improper or unlawful conduct by employees of the municipality and the Buffalo City Metropolitan Development Agency.

It will also examine allegations of the unlawful appropriation or expenditure of public money and property.

According to Makgotho, the investigation will include any unlawful, irregular or unapproved transactions involving state property, as well as any intentional or negligent loss of public money or damage to public property.

The SIU will also examine payments made in connection with the projects to establish whether they were fair, competitive, transparent, equitable and cost-effective, or whether they complied with applicable legislation.

The investigation covers conduct that took place between January 1, 2016, and September 18, 2026.

The proclamation empowers the SIU to identify any financial losses suffered by the state or affected institutions and, where appropriate, take steps to recover those losses.

Ramaphosa has also amended Proclamation 181 of 2024, which authorised an SIU investigation into two tenders involving the Gauteng Provincial Department of Human Settlements.

The existing investigation relates to the procurement of 150 ablution and sanitation infrastructure and facilities at Sicelo Shiceka informal settlement, Phase 1 and Evaton, as well as 180 walk-up units at Sicelo Shiceka Extension 5.

The amendment expands the investigation to include 100 ablution and sanitation infrastructure and facilities at Bekkersdal.

It also extends the period covered by the investigation to include alleged unlawful and improper conduct between April 1, 2017, and September 18, 2026.

Makgotho said the SIU would refer evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigations to the National Prosecuting Authority for consideration and further action.

The unit is also empowered under the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 to institute civil proceedings in the High Court or the Special Tribunal to recover losses or address wrongdoing arising from corruption, fraud or maladministration.

The Buffalo City investigation will therefore examine procurement and spending decisions across the identified projects over a period spanning more than a decade.

The unit said its investigations were aimed at protecting public funds and assets through prevention measures and systemic investigations into fraud, maladministration and corruption.

The launch of an investigation does not mean that wrongdoing has been established against any individual or company. Any allegations will be tested through the investigative process and, where applicable, subsequent legal proceedings.