The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) last week descended on KwaDukuza to probe three allegedly dodgy tenders.

Ordered by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the end of January, the investigation comes at a difficult time for the KwaDukuza Municipality (KDM). The municipality is also facing widespread questions about a R35.7-million fraudulent bank transfer last month, just five days after the SIU probe was announced. A two-and-a-half month electricity crisis has placed further strain on the relationship between KDM and its residents.

The parameters of the SIU investigation are understood to only cover three tenders awarded for road and bulk electricity upgrades in 2018 and 2019, however.

The first tender was awarded to a panel of contractors for three years of road rehabilitation work around KwaDukuza, while the latter two were for the upgrade of a substation to facilitate supply for the KwaDukuza Mall. Combined, the tender award costs reached into the tens of millions of rands.

SIU teams are empowered to look into the processes of those tenders and the officials involved in awarding them, with anything from 2018 to the present day considered fair game.

KwaDukuza municipal manager, Nhlanhla Mdakane, told council last week that the first formal meeting between the municipality and SIU had already been held.

“They indicated that they will soon request a list of documents that are needed for their investigation,” he said.

“As per the legislation around the SIU, the municipality will be expected to cover the costs of the investigation.”

Councillors called for the process to be transparent and for municipal officials to assist where necessary.

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