The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured a Special Tribunal judgment setting aside South African Airways’ (SAA) decision to extend an aircraft dry-lease agreement with Flyfofa Airways (Pty) Ltd worth R85.3 million. The judgment also paves the way for the recovery of any profits or unjustified enrichment made by Flyfofa from the agreement. The Tribunal found that SAA’s decision to extend the agreement for 36 months from July 1, 2019, was unlawful because it was made without following a competitive…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has uncovered what it says was a fraudulent scheme involving the transfer of 208 municipal stands in Villa Liza, near Boksburg, into private hands, with the properties collectively valued at about R58 million. The investigation found that the transfers, which took place between 2018 and 2022, were allegedly carried out without Ekurhuleni Municipality council resolutions or lawful authority. SIU head Leonard Lekgetho said on Wednesday that the municipality did not receive any money from the…

The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to authorise a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into the troubled North West Transport Investments (NTI), saying those responsible for the collapse of the public bus service must be held accountable. MISA, which represents more than 80,000 workers in the retail motor industry, said the investigation was long overdue and should result in more than findings, with public money lost through alleged wrongdoing recovered and affected workers protected.…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is set to investigate five tenders awarded by the Eastern Cape Department of Public Works and Infrastructure after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a proclamation authorising a probe into allegations of corruption, maladministration and the improper use of public funds. The investigation follows the signing of Proclamation 344 of 2026 by Ramaphosa, giving the SIU powers to investigate the procurement and contracting processes linked to five projects and to recover any financial losses suffered by the…

The arrest of businessman Stefan Joel Govindraju has put the spotlight on an alleged procurement syndicate accused of siphoning about R600 million from Tembisa Hospital in a sprawling corruption scandal involving medical supplies and equipment. Govindraju made his first appearance before the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting at Palm Ridge on Monday, facing 70 charges including fraud, theft, money laundering and corruption related offences. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) welcomed the arrest, saying it followed evidence uncovered during its…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Leonard Gaoretelelwe Lekgetho as the new permanent head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), placing an experienced investigator at the helm of one of the country’s key institutions in the fight against corruption. Lekgetho’s appointment takes effect on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, in terms of section 3(1)(a) of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act of 1996. He succeeds Andy Mothibi, who left the SIU on February 1 to take up the position of…

The Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court has granted businessman and PhD-trained chemist Stefan Govindraju R200,000 bail following his arrest in connection with the sprawling R635 million Tembisa Hospital corruption investigation. Govindraju, 37, was arrested at OR Tambo International Airport on Friday, 28 August, when he returned to South Africa from overseas. He appeared in court on Monday facing charges including fraud, corruption and money laundering. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) did not oppose his release on bail, citing his…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured acknowledgements of debt from two service providers and recovered more than R3.3 million linked to the overcharging of the University of Fort Hare for student accommodation. The SIU said its investigation found that three service providers had overcharged the university by a combined R3,334,808.30 in connection with the leasing of accommodation for students. Younus Atcha, trading as Equicent Eastern Cape Developments (Pty) Ltd, and Tshongwane Trust signed acknowledgements of debt after the SIU…

A Ferrari bought for more than R11 million and linked to businessman Hangwani Morgan Maumela can now be sold after the Special Tribunal ruled that keeping the luxury vehicle under preservation was no longer financially prudent. The Ferrari SF90 Stradale forms part of a collection of luxury assets preserved in connection with the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) investigation into alleged corruption and maladministration at Tembisa Hospital, where about R2 billion is alleged to have been looted through irregular procurement. The…

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured a judgment in the Special Tribunal declaring unlawful and invalid a R9 million grant awarded by the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) for the construction of a sports complex in Protea Glen, Soweto, that was never built. The ruling sets aside the grant agreement awarded to the Motheo Sports and Entertainment Foundation and orders several individuals and entities involved in the project to repay millions of rand that had already been disbursed. The Tribunal…