SIU probe ups pressure on officials implicated in Rooiwal scandal

The Chairperson of the Tshwane Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC), Godwin Ratikwane, continues to push for accountability in cases of corruption, with a focus on the Rooiwal Waste Treatment Plant (RWTP) project.

Ratikwane was involved in an engagement with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) on March 10 as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of corruption within the metro.

One of the key focuses of the MPAC-SIU collaboration is the suspension of officials tied to the Rooiwal Project. This has long been the subject of scrutiny due to allegations of tender irregularities and mismanagement and the CCTV tender extensions.

The RWTP has been under investigation after millions of rand were spent on upgrades that have yet to show improvement in service delivery.

The project was supposed to alleviate Tshwane’s growing water supply issues for Hammanskraal residents but instead faced multiple delays, rising costs, and accusations of corruption.

Ratikwane said the investigation is reaching its final stages, with the SIU expected to conclude their work soon.

“It was a fruitful engagement, and it is promising that there will be progress on current SIU investigations relating to Tshwane.

“The SIU was able to take the chairperson into [its] confidence about the investigations, and the MPAC commits to support the efforts of the SIU and any other legal entity that is in place to ensure that corruption in the metro is addressed,” said Ratikwane.

He said it is commendable that the SIU is planning to conclude the investigations in the foreseeable future and that MPAC has shared strategies on how to tackle corruption.

“The SIU further availed various tools and ways of collaborating with the City.

“The MPAC has assured the SIU that it will assist it with all information and investigations required to ensure that we tackle corruption in the metro.”

Ratikwane commended whistle-blowers for reporting such cases to entities like the SIU and encouraged more to come forward and report cases of corruption in the municipality.

SIU previously sent its disciplinary referrals to the metro, marking a crucial step in the investigation into the controversial Rooiwal Waste Water Treatment Works (RWWTW).

The investigating unit concluded the first phase of its investigation in January, which revealed that the contract was awarded irregularly, although details of the implicated individuals remain unknown at this stage.

According to SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago, the first phase of the investigation confirmed the irregularity of the contract.

Kganyago said the criminal referrals had been sent to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Hawks for further action.

Suspended Tshwane officials pending finalisation of their disciplinary hearings cost the metro R9.3-million between July and December 2024.

According to the metro, the disciplinary hearings are delayed because the metro is waiting for law enforcement to conclude the investigations it needs to charge the implicated employees with misconduct.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the delays are not deliberate.

Mashigo said the city is dependent on the country’s law enforcement agencies, such as the SIU, Hawks and police, to conclude investigations and provide the city with the evidence to charge the implicated employees with misconduct.

“The country’s labour laws do not allow for precautionary suspensions to be without remuneration.”

Mashigo said the metro is reviewing all suspensions, to find alternatives to having employees suspended and not performing any duties.

Mashigo said hearings are dealt with in terms of the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC) Disciplinary Procedure Collective Agreement and the applicable labour legislation.

“The majority of the cases are criminal in nature, and it would be unfair to members of the public to be confronted by the same individuals if their suspensions are lifted.”

He said the metro is however restricted in that, among others, it relies on external law enforcement agencies providing it with the requisite evidence to charge the implicated employees.

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