By Bhekizenzo Zonele
President Cyril Ramaphosa has expanded the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) investigation into the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, bringing additional road projects, public transport services and contract variations under scrutiny.
Ramaphosa signed Proclamation 351 of 2026, published in the Government Gazette on Friday, amending the 2024 proclamation that initially authorised the SIU to investigate alleged corruption, maladministration and improper conduct involving the department.
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The expanded probe now includes the upgrade of Main Road P361, District Road D871 and District Road D1290 in the uThukela District.
The SIU will also investigate the provision of subsidised public transport passenger services and variation orders for two contracts and the extension of another contract.
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“The investigation includes payments made in relation to these contracts where the procurement or contracting processes were not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable or cost-effective,” SIU spokesperson Selby Makgotho said.
The amendment broadens the investigation beyond the four bridge projects covered by the original 2024 proclamation.
These included the Mngwenya River Bridge at the Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipality, Umlalazi River Bridge near Mtunzini, Mhlathuze Bridge in the area around Nkandla and Nkungumathe and Phethu River Bridge in Kwa Nongoma.
An August 2025 oversight visit found that the UMhlathuze Bridge, with an initial budget of R 31 million. Was abandoned and was 83% completed.
According to the SIU, the investigation also covers possible unauthorised, irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure linked to the contracts under investigation. The investigation period has been extended. “The amendment also extends the period covered by the investigation to the date of publication of the amendment,” the Makgotho states.
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The new proclamation extends the period until September 25, 2026, the date the revision was published, while the previous proclamation covered alleged illegal or inappropriate activity between June 1, 2016, and February 23, 2024.
According to the SIU, the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act gives it the authority to investigate major corruption and maladministration, file civil lawsuits, and recoup monetary losses incurred by the state.
If the investigation reveals misconduct, the SIU may file civil lawsuits in the High Court or Special Tribunal to recoup losses incurred by the state or to have contracts or rulings stemming from fraud, corruption, or poor management revoked.
The amended proclamation does not itself make findings against individuals or companies. Those findings, if any, would emerge from the SIU’s investigation.
