Activists, unions welcome SIU’s investigation into corruption in the City of Mbombela

Human rights activists and unions have welcomed the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigating allegations of maladministration and corruption in the City of Mbombela, Mpumalanga. 

It follows an instruction from President Cyril Ramaphosa to look into seven contracts and other related issues in the municipality.

“The SIU will probe any related unauthorised, irregular, fruitless or wasteful expenditure incurred by the municipality or the state about the awarding of tenders,” said the unit. 

The tenders and issues under scrutiny include:

• Investigation and legal services;
• The installation of internal municipal civil engineering services;
• Construction of Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) housing units;
• The provision of project management under the integrated residential development programme at Emjindini in Barberton;
• Engineering services;
• Construction of the R538 Hazyview to Numbi Gate road;
• The appointment of professional consultants for the establishment of the strategic programmes and projects support unit for the municipality;
• The turnkey energy efficiency and demand side management programme; and
• The implementation of the construction of phase 1 of the Nsikazi North bulk water scheme.

The probe will also look at any irregular, unlawful, or improper conduct by officials or employees, their suppliers or service providers, or any other person or entity implicated.

The proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that occurred between 16 February 2015 and 2 May 2025, as well as any related activities before 16 February 2015 and after the date of the proclamation that are pertinent to the matters under investigation or involve the same persons, entities or contracts.

SAMWU welcomes investigation

The South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) in Mpumalanga welcomed the proclamation and said it confirms its long-standing call to fight corruption and malfeasance in the municipality.

“The relevant authorities assigned to oversee these institutions seem to turn a blind eye to such a state of affairs, with no initiative to confront this scourge of systemic corruption,” said Samwu provincial secretary Sam Lekhuleni.

“We, therefore, thank our president in advance for coming to rescue the situation and reiterate our call to sponsor the noble idea by extending the investigation to the various municipalities in the Mpumalanga province to root out corruption once and for all. 

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‘Good news’

Wayne Duvenage, CEO of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse said much of the deterioration in municipalities was linked to financial mismanagement and procurement irregularities.

“These in turn give rise to corruption and losses of billions of rands to nefarious activities,” he said.

“We welcome this proclamation. However, there is so much work that is now finding its way into the ambit of the SIU that one wonders if the Treasury will be increasing the budget allocations to this entity, as well as the National Prosecuting Authority to fulfil their respective mandates and hold the many people to account for this misdeed.” 

Corruption Watch attorney Nkululeko Conco said the proclamation shows the key roles played by whistleblowers and the need to ensure law enforcement agencies are supported and resourced.

“Once again, it is clear that corruption affects the most vulnerable in society as the proclamation also authorises an investigation into the construction of RDP housing units.”

Mpumalanga’s problems

DA member of the Mpumalanga legislature James Masango said the province had been “plagued by heightened service delivery challenges”.

“We find it concerning that tenders relating to the provision of water and housing development were flagged by the SIU,” he added.

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