The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) set aside contracts valued at more than R25.7 billion, recovered R936 million in cash and assets and prevented R1.9 billion in potential losses during the 2025/26 financial year.
The combined figure of R28.536 billion represents public funds protected through investigations and litigation, the unit said. Most of the amount came from court orders setting contracts aside rather than cash physically returned to the state.
The SIU closed 5,917 investigations conducted under presidential proclamations and submitted 48 reports to the Presidency. Investigations covered Tembisa Hospital, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, eThekwini’s water and sanitation services, the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works, the Department of Home Affairs and other entities.
PRASA was the largest single contributor, with civil proceedings valued at approximately R6.9 billion. Overall, the unit referred matters involving evidence of civil wrongdoing valued at R10.7 billion for further civil action.
It also made 761 criminal referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority and referred 460 officials to their departments for disciplinary processes. The SIU expanded its lifestyle-audit capacity through secondment agreements with eight departments and state-owned entities.
SIU head Leonard Lekgetho said the results showed the importance of sustained investigations, legal action and inter-institutional cooperation. Fighting corruption, he said, required reducing opportunities for wrongdoing and ensuring those responsible faced consequences.
