The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been authorised to investigate allegations of maladministration in the Department of Defence and recover any losses the State may have suffered.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed Proclamation 260 of 2025 authorising the SIU to investigate serious maladministration, focusing on irregularities linked to the supply and delivery of surgical mask elastic loops.

The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that occurred between March 1, 2021 and May 23, 2025, as well as any related activities before March 1, 2021 and after the date of the Proclamation that are important to the matters under investigation or involve the same persons, entities, or contracts.

The SIU probe will investigate whether procurement and contracting were made fairly, competitively, transparently, equitably, or cost-effectively or whether they violated legislation, guidelines, or instructions from the National or Provincial Treasury.

“…this includes the Department’s or the State’s unauthorised, irregular, or wasteful expenditure. Furthermore, the SIU will seek to establish if there was any misappropriation of unidentified payments received by the Department,” the SIU said.

The SIU said the probe would 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.

It pointed out that beyond investigating maladministration, corruption, and fraud, the SIU was committed to identifying systemic failures and recommending measures to prevent future losses.

“In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU will refer any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action,” it explained.

The SIU noted that under the SIU Act, it is also authorised to initiate a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal to address any wrongdoing identified during its investigation resulting from acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration.