The SIU will look for any irregularities relating to a tender for surgical mask elastic hoops.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been given the green light to investigate a 2021 procurement contract signed by the Department of Defence (DoD).
Authorisation for the investigation was approved on Friday, granting the SIU the mandate to look into any maladministration or irregularities that may have occurred between 1 March 2021 and 23 May 2025.
Should the SIU identify any actions of concern, it will pursue civil litigation or refer matters to the National Prosecuting Authority for consideration of criminal charges.
Surgical mask tender
The tender in question relates to the supply and delivery of surgical mask elastic hoops procured at an undisclosed amount
“The probe will also look at any irregular, unlawful, or improper conduct by officials or employees of the department, its suppliers or service providers, or any other person or entity implicated,” stated SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
Democratic Alliance spokesperson on military and defence, Chris Hattingh, called for implicated officials to be suspended immediately, noting the Auditor-General’s previous findings against the DoD.
“What’s worse is the department’s ongoing failure to act. Despite multiple oversight reports from Parliament, there’s been zero meaningful effort from within to clean house,” said Hattingh.
Investigation a ‘turning point’
This is not the first SIU investigation in the DoD, as serious alleged procurement irregularities relating to a R33.4 Cuban medicine deal were revealed earlier this year.
The SIU stated in January that the DoD had signed a procurement agreement only after 930 units of antiviral drugs had been delivered from Cuba during the Covid-19 global health crisis.
The antivirals were later found to be non-compliant with South African Health and Product Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) standards, and only 15 were ever used, five of which were for testing.
“South Africans deserve an armed forces institution they can believe in, not one broken by corruption and weak leadership,” stated Hattingh.
“This investigation must be a turning point. It’s time to rebuild trust, restore integrity, and bring real accountability to the DoD,” he concluded.
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