President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate nine procurement contracts linked to the establishment and operationalisation of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipal Police.
The investigations are contained in Proclamation 329 of 2026, issued under the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act. The SIU has been tasked with determining whether there was maladministration, irregular expenditure, unlawful conduct, fraud or corruption in relation to the contract.
Under Proclamation 329 of 2026, the SIU will investigate allegations of serious maladministration within the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, focusing on the establishment and operation of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipal Police, as outlined in Provincial Notice No. 124 of 2019. The investigation will also examine alleged overpayments made by the municipality to suppliers, as reflected in its annual financial statements for the financial year ending 30 June 2024.
The investigation covers nine procurement and contracting processes, including contracts for branding and marketing material, corporate gift items, catering services, decorating items, structural condition assessments of the Civic Theatre, Gabriel Dichabe offices and the Housing Offices in Thaba Nchu, the upgrading, relocation and configuration of office space for the municipal police, the procurement of eight Toyota Corolla vehicles, the purchase of a fire truck, and the appointment of a panel of contractors for the construction of trunk routes for the municipality's Integrated Public Transport Network.
The SIU will also examine any unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure recorded in the municipality's expenditure registers for the 2022/23 and 2023/24 financial years. Investigators have also been authorised to probe the conduct of municipal officials, employees, suppliers, service providers and any other individuals or entities that may have been involved in the transactions.
According to the proclamation, the investigation covers allegations dating from 1 October 2016 to 31 July 2026. It also empowers the SIU to investigate any related conduct that occurred before or after this period, including instances where contracts were paid for but services were either not delivered or not fully rendered.
Responding to the proclamation, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality City Manager, Sello More, acknowledged President Ramaphosa's decision to refer the matters to the SIU and would cooperate fully with the investigation.
"The Municipality recognises and respects the constitutional and legislative mandate of the Special Investigating Unit to investigate allegations of maladministration, corruption and related unlawful conduct, and will cooperate with the SIU within the framework of the law," said More.
He added that, because the matter is now the subject of a formal investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment on the specifics of the allegations or issues that may form part of the SIU's work.
Also stating that the municipality remains committed to the principles of good governance, accountability, transparency and sound financial management, and believes the investigative process should be allowed to run its course.
The Democratic Alliance in Mangaung had welcomed the SIU investigation, stating that the proclamation was an important step towards restoring accountability. “This proclamation marks an important step towards restoring accountability in the municipality that has suffered from years of mismanagement and corruption. Investigations alone do not restore public trust. Residents expect consequences,” said Werner Pretorius, DA Mangaung Mayoral Candidate.
The investigation could also lead to legal action if evidence of wrongdoing is uncovered. The SIU can pursue civil proceedings to recover money lost by the State, while potential criminal offences can be referred to law enforcement.
