On August 5, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) announced that it had received the green light to investigate five contracts under the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI).

The probe will cover tenders related to contracts for work on official accommodation and refurbishment of residences, Marks Building renovations and refurbishments to the 90 Plein street building in the Parliamentary Precinct.

In a statement published on August 8, Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia de Lille says she welcomes these investigations by the SIU and reiterates that the DPWI will give its full cooperation to the SIU during the investigations.

“This probe by the SIU stems from a request I made when I wrote to the head of the SIU, Advocate Andy Mothibi on 21 October 2021 requesting the SIU to investigate the projects contained in an independent review by BDO.

“I requested that the SIU investigate the BDO report projects as part of an existing Proclamation R20 of 2018,” De Lille explains.

She says her letter sought the assistance of the SIU to motivate for the inclusion of additional projects to be investigated under the current Presidential Proclamation regarding various Prestige Projects at Parliamentary Precinct, including the National Council of Provinces building and parliamentary villages.

“In late 2019, I requested an independent assessment into certain projects by the department as I was increasingly concerned about the slow pace of implementation of these projects. The DPWI appointed company, BDO, through a competitive process to conduct an investigation into the various Prestige projects.

“BDO completed its independent assessment and submitted a report to senior management in the department on November 20, 2020. As communicated to the media before, unfortunately, I was only informed of this report in September 2021 as the executive authority of the department who commissioned the independent assessment,” De Lille outlines.

She says the BDO report made serious findings about the lack of proper systems and preparations within the department to implement Parliamentary projects properly. The independent assessment by BDO looked into various projects at the parliamentary villages and the Parliamentary Precinct amounting to R497-million.

“I therefore welcome that the SIU has been given the green light to proceed with the investigations into the various projects contained in the independent BDO report.

“It is my hope that the investigation by the SIU can clearly uncover where there was wrongdoing and by whom and I will ensure that the department acts swiftly to take the necessary action against anyone found guilty of any wrongdoing related to these projects,” De Lille emphasises.