THE SPECIAL Investigating Unit (SIU) has been authorised to investigate serious maladministration in The New Age (TNA) breakfast briefings hosted by the SABC.
The controversial deal between the public broadcaster and TNA allegedly caused the SABC to divert resources meant for its Morning Live to host a TNA breakfast show.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed Proclamations 206 and 207 of 2024, authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of the South African Broadcasting Corporation's (SABC) conclusion of an agreement with TNA Media (Pty) Ltd styled as "The New Age Breakfast Briefings" and to seven contracts in the Makana Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape and to recover any loss the State has suffered.
"The investigation will focus on whether the agreement between SABC and TNA Media (Pty) Ltd was concluded in a manner that was not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable, or cost-effective or in violation of applicable legislation, guidelines, or instructions from the National Treasury and related unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditures incurred by the State Institutions or losses suffered by the state institutions or the state," said SIU spokesman Kaizer Kganyago.
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He said the probe will also examine any irregular, unlawful, or improper conduct by state officials or employees of TNA Media, its suppliers or service providers, or any other person or entity implicated.
The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that occurred between 1 January 2011 and 18 October 2024, as well as any related activities before 1 January 2011 and after the date of the proclamation that is pertinent to the matters under investigation or involves the same persons, entities, or contracts.
The proclamation further permits the SIU to investigate serious maladministration in connection with the affairs of Eskom, Transnet, Petrosa, FlySAA and the Department of Human Settlements.
Proclamation 207 authorises the SIU to investigate allegations of serious maladministration in the affairs of the Makana Local Municipality involving seven tenders.
The SIU's investigation will look into Makana Bulk Sewer Upgrade Phase 1.
Kganyago said the Office of the Auditor General of South Africa flagged the following contracts and goods and/or services procured by the Municipality with a transaction value above R200 000, without the municipality inviting competitive bids in a report dated 30 June 2019:
* Professional Engineering services for groundwater development projects.
* Implementing Agents for water conservation and demand management.
* Re-appointment of MBB Consulting for water conservation and demand management.
* Electrification of the greater Makana and surrounding areas 11KV Line Project.
* Host municipal emails and provide internet services.
* Operate and manage the Makana burning landfill site for six months.
"The SIU will look at payments made in a manner that was not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable, or cost-effective or in violation of applicable legislation, guidelines, or instructions from the National or Provincial Treasury. This includes the Municipality or the State's unauthorised, irregular, or wasteful expenditure. The probe will also look at any irregular, unlawful, or improper conduct by officials or employees of the Municipality, its suppliers or service providers, or any other person or entity implicated," he said.
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