The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) reported achieving a financial benefit of R28.5 billion for the 2025/26 financial year. This amount was realized through the recovery of funds and assets, the prevention of potential financial losses, and the cancellation of illegal contracts.
According to SIU data, the unit's interventions resulted in a total financial impact of R28.536 billion. These funds helped protect public coffers and return resources to the state for the implementation of development programs and service delivery.
The total sum includes R1.9 billion prevented as potential losses, as well as R936 million recovered in the form of returned funds and assets. Furthermore, over R25.7 billion worth of contracts were cancelled through legal proceedings in the Special Tribunal and the High Court of South Africa.
The SIU emphasized that such legal actions contribute to protecting public funds from improper expenditure and allow them to be returned and directed towards presumed public needs.
The unit stated that these results confirm its continuous commitment to combating corruption, mismanagement, and abuse while ensuring the preservation of state assets.
SIU closes 5917 investigations
During the financial year, investigations remained a central task of the SIU, under which 5917 investigations conducted according to published proclamations were concluded. Additionally, 48 reports detailing the results of these investigations were submitted to the Presidential Office.
These investigations covered cases related to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, the Itala Development Corporation, the Tshwane Municipality Ruival Sanitation, the Makana Local Municipality, and the Thembis Hospital in the Gauteng Department of Health. Other investigations concerned the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), the Ekurhuleni Municipal Water and Sanitation Services, and the Department of the Interior.
The SIU reported that cases with evidence of civil offenses amounting to R10.7 billion were referred for civil litigation. PRASA was the largest participant in this sum, as the SIU initiated and conducted civil proceedings valued at R6.9 billion.
Expansion of lifestyle audits
The SIU also increased its capacity to conduct lifestyle audits through agreements on the temporary deployment of staff to eight government departments and state-owned enterprises. During the year, lifestyle audits were conducted in the Public Schemes Ombudsman Service, the Housing Agency, the Directorate for Independent Police Investigation, the North Cape Premier's Office, PRASA, the Gauteng Premier's Office, the Limpopo Department of Public Works, and the Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. The goal of these audits was to strengthen accountability and prevent corruption.
761 criminal referrals to NPA
The SIU also referred 761 criminal cases to the National Prosecuting Authority against officials, private organizations, and individuals suspected of committing crimes. An additional 460 officials were referred to relevant state institutions for disciplinary action. These referrals were made in accordance with the Special Investigating Units and Tribunals Act.
SIU Head Leonard Lekgetho stated that the progress made during the financial year demonstrates the importance of continuous investigations, legal action, and inter-institutional cooperation. He noted that fighting corruption and demanding good governance is not the task of one person but requires a comprehensive approach from society as a whole, including government, law enforcement agencies, investigative and oversight institutions, whistleblowers, civil society, the media, business, and every citizen.
Lekgetho added that efforts to combat corruption must focus on reducing opportunities for it to occur, complicating the concealment of offenses, and ensuring that perpetrators face appropriate consequences. The SIU also reported an impeccable audit result for the financial year, which attests to its commitment to the principles of good governance, accountability, and sound financial management.