Ramaphosa authorises SIU to probe Defence Department over mask tender irregularities

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a new proclamation authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe allegations of serious maladministration within the Department of Defence, specifically linked to the procurement of surgical mask elastic loops under Bid Number CPSC-UB-M-013-2021.

- HOPE NTANZI

The proclamation, signed into law as Proclamation 260 of 2025, empowers the SIU to investigate whether the tender process was conducted in a manner that was not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable, or cost-effective, and whether it violated any applicable legislation or instructions from the National or Provincial Treasury.

Kaizer Kganyago, spokesperson for the Special Investigating Unit, confirmed the scope of the investigation, saying the SIU would also examine “unauthorised, irregular or wasteful expenditure” and seek to determine “if there was any misappropriation of unidentified payments received by the department.”