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The Special Investigating Unit executed a search and seizure warrant at the Makana Municipality on Friday as part of a probe authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, said they obtained the court order because they felt that following the normal route of requesting documents may not have yielded positive results.
He said they were looking for documents needed as part of the investigation, after President Cyril Ramaphosa, signed a proclamation to investigate allegations of serious maladministration and improper and unlawful conduct in the affairs of the Makana Municipality.
"We are going to look into some of the projects awarded to people unlawfully, especially water and engineering projects, " he told Algoa FM News on Friday.
Kganyago said the next step would be to analyse all the documents seized to see which projects were "not done lawfully" and once done they would be able to determine "did what" and "where the money went".
The SIU probe was widely welcomed by long-suffering residents of Makana, who issued a joint stakeholder statement, saying the intervention is a result of sustained community pressure and activism.
"This investigation is crucial to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in our community. We encourage all organisations and members of the public to cooperate fully with the SIU as may be required.
"Our interest is in revitalising our municipality and removing any obstacles to positive development.
"We believe fairness, integrity, and accountability are essential for advancement, and this investigation is a chance to address past irregularities and rebuild public trust in our institutions," the joint statement said.
It was signed by 16 stakeholders that included Rhodes University, some of the private schools, as well as NGO's.
"Our interest is in revitalising our municipality and removing any obstacles to positive development. We believe fairness, integrity, and accountability are essential for advancement, and this investigation is a chance to address past irregularities and rebuild public trust in our institutions," they said.
#SIUWorkingForYou| SIU searches Makana Local Municipality offices, seizes the phones of officials, laptops, hard drives and specific tender-related documents pic.twitter.com/KRkXq5QSou
— Special Investigating Unit (SIU) (@RSASIU) November 1, 2024
