The Presidency Addresses SIU Investigations and Dismissal of Officials Over PPE Scandal

In a significant clarification by the South African Presidency, it has been confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa is not the subject of any ongoing investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). This came to light during a briefing to Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), where the dismissal of nearly 20 government officials over corruption related to Covid-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) was also disclosed.

The Presidency and SIU outlined the investigations to Scopa, revealing substantial progress in disciplinary cases. Of the 297 disciplinary recommendations, 190 have reached conclusions: 98 officials were punished for misdeeds, while 25 were exonerated. The updates presented also showed the multitude of actions taken against those found culpable, ranging from suspensions to referrals for counseling.

A particular emphasis was placed on the dismissal of 18 high-profile government employees, including municipal managers and CFOs from prominent departments. The breadth of the problem was underlined by the fact that 304 cases have been recommended for criminal prosecution by the SIU to The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The NPA’s actions have led to 70 convictions since June 2021, showing a considerable impact, though no firms implicated have been blacklisted from government business.

The engagement with Scopa touched upon President Ramaphosa's extensive issuance of SIU proclamations, with a pronounced increase in investigative activities since his tenure began. Since the establishment of the Special Tribunal in 2019, there has been a remarkable acceleration in the recovery of lost funds due to corruption, amounting to over R5 billion retrieved, R1.4 billion of which was secured in the current year.

Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, vocalized the requirement for reforms that would bolster the SIU, and proposed collaborative discussions inclusive of the Department of Justice and NPA. He emphasized the need for the NPA to act independently and without delay against corruption.

Morolong also addressed the often-discussed topic of the president’s culpability, asserting that President Ramaphosa is not above the law and remains open to investigation should credible evidence of wrongdoing arise. This statement comes in the wake of the NPA's decision not to pursue charges against Ramaphosa in connection with the Phala Phala affair, a resolution that generated a turbulent reaction across the political front.