‘Report Withheld, Officials Blocked’: SIU Accuses Buffalo City Mayor of Shielding Corrupt Staff

The Buffalo City metropolitan municipality is once again in the crosshairs, facing accusations that its leadership is actively shielding corrupt officials from accountability.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has told Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts that more than 23 municipal staff have been implicated in tender fraud and maladministrationyet investigations have been met with obstruction.

The Missing Report

At the centre of the controversy is a critical Ernst & Young (EY) report.

SIU acting head Leonard Lekgetho detailed the entity’s frustrated attempts to obtain the document:

• On 5 May 2025, the SIU wrote to the municipality requesting the EY report. They were told it would be shared once finalised.

• On 14 October 2025, the SIU wrote again. This followed the mayor’s statement at a portfolio committee that the report had been handed over.

• No response was received. The report has not been handed over.

Mayor Princess Faku is accused of withholding the report, despite publicly claiming it had been provided.

Blocking Discipline

Lekgetho said some implicated officials are using the courts to block further investigations and disciplinary measures.

“After the investigations, recommendations were made and some officials even went to court to block the internal disciplinary process,” he said.

Two officials interdicted the internal disciplinary measures and further investigation, claiming there was a court case related to the matter.

The Probe’s Origins

The SIU investigation began on 12 November 2021 after a whistleblower alleged maladministration, fraud, and corruption dating back to the previous year.

Findings include:

• The head of supply chain sent specifications to certain service providers before the tender was advertised

• Officials in supply chain management colluded with service providers for three tenders advertised under the national state of disaster during COVID lockdown

• Of 22 bids received, officials allegedly approved fraudulent claims by service providers

Political Reaction

Anathi Majeke, DA chief whip in the municipality, said the SIU report confirms “systemic corruption” in Buffalo City.

“The findings vindicate our warnings about COVID procurement, revealing the head of supply chain management colluded with service providers.”

Mandisa Mashiya, African Transformation Movement national chair and councillor, said the investigation underscores a “systemic failure in procurement oversight.”

The Bottom Line

A mayor accused of withholding a report. Officials using courts to block discipline. Twenty-three staff implicated. And the SIUthe state’s anti-corruption unitleft waiting for answers.

Buffalo City’s leadership promised accountability. Instead, the SIU says it found a brick wall. The question now is whether Parliament will push harderor let the wall stand.

{Source: Citizen}

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