SIU recovers and protects R28.5bn in major corruption crackdown

South Africa’s fight against corruption has delivered a significant financial result, with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) saying it recovered cash and assets and protected billions of rands in public money during the 2025/26 financial year.

The anti-corruption watchdog says its work resulted in about R28.536 billion being recovered, protected or secured through investigations and legal action.

The figure includes R936 million in cash and assets recovered, as well as approximately R1.9 billion in potential losses prevented for the state.

But the biggest portion came through court action, with contracts worth more than R25.7 billion set aside through proceedings before the Special Tribunal and the High Court.

For ordinary South Africans, the figures point to a bigger issue than money alone: preventing public funds from being lost means protecting resources intended for services people rely on.

Billions put under the microscope

Investigations remain at the centre of the SIU’s work.

During the financial year, the unit said it closed 5 917 investigations conducted under published proclamations. It also submitted 48 reports to the Presidency detailing the outcomes of investigations.

The cases stretched across several areas of government, including transport, health, municipalities, student funding and home affairs.

Among the investigations were matters involving the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, Ithala Development Finance Corporation, Tshwane’s Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works, Makana Local Municipality, Tembisa Hospital, NSFAS, PRASA and eThekwini’s Water and Sanitation Services.

The scale of the work shows how corruption investigations can reach into everyday services, from public transport and healthcare to water infrastructure and education.

PRASA case among the biggest contributors

One of the largest amounts linked to civil proceedings came from the SIU’s investigation into the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).

The unit said it instituted and conducted civil proceedings involving R6.9 billion in the PRASA investigation.

Overall, matters involving evidence of civil wrongdoing valued at R10.7 billion were referred for civil proceedings.

The aim is not simply to identify wrongdoing but to use legal mechanisms to recover money or prevent public resources from being spent unlawfully.

Lifestyle audits form part of the crackdown

The SIU also conducted lifestyle audits at several government departments and entities.

These included the Community Schemes Ombud Service, Housing Development Agency, Independent Police Investigative Directorate, Northern Cape Office of the Premier, PRASA, Gauteng Office of the Premier, Limpopo Department of Public Works and Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

Lifestyle audits can form part of efforts to identify potential discrepancies between an official’s known income and their apparent financial circumstances.

The broader message from the SIU is that tackling corruption requires more than investigating cases after money has already disappeared.

Hundreds of cases referred for action

The unit made 761 criminal referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) during the financial year.

These referrals involved officials, private entities and individuals suspected of criminal wrongdoing.

A further 460 officials were referred to their respective state institutions for disciplinary action.

SIU Head Leonard Lekgetho said fighting corruption cannot be left to one institution or a handful of people.

He called for a whole-of-society approach involving government, law enforcement, oversight bodies, whistleblowers, civil society, the media, businesses and ordinary citizens.

The SIU says it will continue working to protect state resources and ensure public funds are used for their intended purpose.

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Source: SIU