In its 27 years of operation, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has marked its highest ever recovery of R2.28-billion in cash from investigations and litigation, as it revealed it saved government from bleeding a whopping R8-billion in the 2023/24 financial year.

The SIU's Annual Report said the organisation prevented the State from losing R2.32-billion and secured cash from acknowledgement of debts and admission of liability agreements to totalling R1.6-billion.

Further, contracts amounting to more than R2.13-billion were set aside, through the courts.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the SIU said its achievement emphasised the organisation’s commitment to fighting corruption, as it highlighted an unqualified audit outcome for its own finances.

SIU head Advocate Andy Mothibi said to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development that most of the recovered funds were as a result of investigations into Transnet, Eskom and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

“The Transnet recoveries amounted to R710 104 826,03, R500 000 000 from Eskom, and the NSFAS investigation totalled R191 027 281,50 by the end of the 2023/24 financial year. [Mothibi] also emphasised the success of the Medico-Legal investigation, which accounted for R1.98-billion of the R2.32-billion in prevented losses, showcasing the effectiveness of the SIU’s work in protecting public funds,” the SIU revealed.

“In terms of matters, contract and/or administrative decisions and or actions set aside or deemed invalid, contracts emanating from the Eskom investigation contributed the most, with the contract value of R1 206 984 667,56,” it added.

The SIU closed 1 919 investigations and published 26 outcome reports to the President in the 2023/24 financial year, and include reports relating to NSFAS, the National Lotteries Commission, Prasa and the Masters' Office.

It has also submitted evidence for civil proceedings and include matters relating to R2-billion from Eskom, R834-million from Transnet, R48.4-million from the City of Cape Town and R29.1-million from the eThekwini Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal.

Notably, the SIU undertook lifestyle audits at Prasa, the Gauteng Office of the Premier, and the Free State Department of Community Safety, Roads, and Transport.

The SIU referred 297 government officials for disciplinary action.

“As the SIU concludes the final year of its five-year turnaround strategy, we remain resolute in our mission to combat corruption, fraud, maladministration and malpractice in the public sector. The next five-year strategy will build on the successes of the previous strategy and focus on developing and implementing the National Corruption Prevention Strategy and implementing best practices, including cyber and data analytics, and further business process digitisation programmes,” the SIU said.