SIU investigation reveals R9 million spent on a state funeral

The Special Investigations Unit (SIU) says an investigation has revealed that over R9 million was paid to a service provider for one state funeral. This, as the budget was in actual fact only a million per state funeral.

The SIU presented this to Parliament’s Public Works and Infrastructure Committee, when it presented an update on all outstanding cases of alleged corruption.

Of the 24 ongoing investigations by the SIU, the value of civil litigation emanating from these, amounts to over R106 million.

The unit’s lead investigator, Leonard Lekgetho says the matter is being investigated.

“Here we look at procurement irregularities and possible excessive payments made by the department in respect of the state official funeral. Here civil litigation, the service provider was paid R9 million for one funeral, while the department appointed, was for one funeral for R1 million. We are currently looking at this, the matter is currently on the civil litigation space.”

VIDEO | Lekgetho has asked the department to implement disciplinary referrals. 

Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister, Sihle Zikalala, who was present at the meeting, says it is important to find ways to deal quicker with corruption cases.

“The SIU comes after the fact, it takes long and when you fight, consequence management you find that people would have resigned, retired, and so on. So, the question is how we work together to develop preventative measures, but also to enforce action quicker. I think we would have to work together with the SIU on that.”