The Special Investigating Unit has secured a court order to recover profits from a R4.7 million personal protective equipment contract that was unlawfully awarded by the Mpumalanga Department of Health to Tepa Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd.
The Special Tribunal delivered its judgment on 30 October 2025, setting aside the department’s April 2020 decision to appoint Tepa Trading. The Tribunal declared the contract unconstitutional, unlawful and invalid. The contract involved the supply of 220,000 three ply surgical masks during the COVID 19 national state of disaster.
The investigation was conducted under Proclamation R.23 of 2020. It found that the department failed to follow a fair, equitable, transparent, competitive and cost effective procurement process as required by the Constitution. The Tribunal also found that the contract was unlawfully approved by an official who did not have the required financial authority.
To recover public funds, the Special Tribunal ordered Tepa Trading to submit a detailed audited statement of account within 30 days. The statement must include all income and expenditure linked to the contract. The Tribunal will use the statement to calculate the profit that must be paid back to the state. In addition, Tepa Trading has been ordered to pay the legal costs of the Special Investigating Unit.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the outcome sends a clear message that suppliers who benefited from irregular contracts will be held accountable. “The SIU will continue to use its legal powers to ensure that public funds are recovered and that those who acted unlawfully do not profit from the state,” he said.
The SIU said this case forms part of its broader work to recover money lost through irregular procurement during the COVID 19 period. The unit continues to protect public resources by preventing and investigating corruption and maladministration in government departments and state institutions.
Under the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU is authorised to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal to recover losses resulting from corruption, fraud or maladministration. The unit will refer any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during this investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action.
