“This has nothing to do with politics”, Siqwayi.
The Special Investigating Unit has been given expanded powers to investigate IT procurement at the Greater Kokstad Municipality, with the probe now stretching from June 2020. President Cyril Ramaphosa signed an amendment to proclamation 244 of 2025, widening the scope of the SIU’s investigation into the municipality’s procurement processes. The original proclamation authorised the SIU to investigate contracts that were not fair, equitable, transparent, competitive or cost-effective. The amendment moves the start date from the 1st of January 2022 to the 5th of June 2020 and continues until the date of publication.
The expanded investigation now covers four separate bids, bid GKM 43-19/20 for the supply and delivery of laptops and desktop computers, bid GKM 14- 20/21 for the supply and renewal of software licenses, bid GKM 19-22/23 for the appointment of a service provider to supply and renew software licenses for three years and bid GKM 16-22/23 for the appointment of a service provider to supply customer care and IT service desk solution for three years. The SIU will also investigate any irregular, unlawful or improper conduct by municipal officials, employees, service providers, suppliers or any other person during the period under investigation.
Greater Kokstad Municipality communications manager, Zolani Siqwayi confirmed that the municipality received notice of the amended proclamation. Siqwayi said the original proclamation was issued in January 2025. Following that, certain bids were investigated and the municipality cooperated with the investigation throughout that process until a preliminary report was completed. According to Siqwayi, the preliminary report found out that two additional bids fell outside the original scope. The initial investigation covered the period from 2022, but the bids in question dated back to earlier years, including 2021. As a result, the amendment extends the investigation period to start from 2020.
“As the municipality we accept that and we are going to cooperate with the investigation,” Siqwayi said. He also addressed the questions linking the probe to upcoming elections, saying the investigation has nothing to do with politics. “The municipality is transparent and wants people to know what is happening within the municipality,” he said. Siqwayi stressed that if there are people involved in wrong doings, the municipality would like that those involved be prosecuted.
Speaking with this publication, Bongani Msomi, the coordinator of uMkhonto Wesizwe said the party welcomes the SIU’s expanded investigation into the Greater Kokstad Municipality, saying the probe was long overdue. Msomi said there has always been unfairness within the municipality. He added that the party is not only calling for an investigation into the IT transaction, but also into other municipal contracts including electricity and grass cutting tenders. “We welcome the proclamation that the SIU must investigate the municipality and we will also welcome the outcomes of the investigation,” he said.
Msomi further stated that those found to be involved in any wrongdoing must be arrested.
