SIU to probe maladministration at Prasa, Home Affairs
The Special Investigating Unit has been given the green light to probe allegations of maladministration at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa and the Department of Home Affairs.
The probe will cover the past 14 years at the passenger rail agency and the last 20 years at the department.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed two proclamations authorising the SIU to investigate the two state entities.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says the Home Affairs probe will include the issuing of visas and other official documents.
"The SIU will also investigate improper or unlawful conduct by officials or employees of Home Affairs in relation to the installation of T200 firewalls.
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“The Proclamation also empowers the SIU to investigate any irregular, unlawful or improper conduct by officials or employees of Home Affairs or any other person or entity in relation to the allegations being investigated.
"The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that took place between 12 October 2004 and 16 February 2024, the date of the publication of the Proclamation or before 12 October 2004 and after the date of the Proclamation that is relevant to, connected with, incidental to the matters or involves the same persons, entities or contracts investigated."
At Prasa, Kganyago says the SIU will look into the awarding of tenders and alleged fraudulent liability claims paid by the rail agency's insurance department.
"Proclamation 153 of 2024 empowers the SIU to probe offences that were committed against the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act of 2004 in connection with the affairs of PRASA in relation to the award of tenders for the supply of various train locomotives to Swifambo Rail Leasing Pty Ltd, and the supply and maintenance of an integrated security access management system at various train stations to
Siyangena Technologies Pty Ltd.
"The SIU will also investigate serious maladministration in the affairs of PRASA relating to fraudulent liability claims processed and paid by PRASA’s Group Insurance Department, including claims paid as one-time vendor payments. The probe will also extend to the employment of ghost employees identified by PRASA’s Project Zivese in August 2021. The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that took place between 1 January 2010 and 16 February 2024."
