Pretoria: The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is set to delve into the procurement and contracting processes of North West Transport Investments (NTI) following a directive from President Cyril Ramaphosa. This move, marked by the signing of a proclamation, seeks to address allegations of maladministration, corruption, and irregular expenditure within the state-owned entity.

According to South African Government News Agency, the President has tasked the SIU with investigating the affairs of NTI and its subsidiaries, North West Star SOC Limited (NSL) and Atteridgeville Bus Service SOC Limited (ABS). The investigation will focus on procurement activities involving fuel supplied by Zentrafor Fuel (Pty) Limited under the trade name FuelU, vehicle rental services as per a July 28, 2023 agreement, and commuter bus services outlined in a subcontractor agreement dated July 7, 2023. The probe will also scrutinize payments made for these services.

The SIU has been granted authority to investigate potential maladministration in NTI's operations related to the handling of claims from Tansanat Coachlines (Pty) Limited, Ziggy Investments CC, and their joint venture. The investigation aims to determine if these operations violated any legislative guidelines from the National or Provincial Treasury.

Furthermore, the investigations will extend to the actions of the Business Rescue Practitioner, appointed on July 21, 2022, as well as any agents or NTI employees involved. The SIU will assess whether any parties received undue benefits leading to maladministration and any resulting financial losses to NTI or the State.

Meanwhile, President Ramaphosa has also amended the SIU's investigation scope into the eThekwini Municipality's Security and VIP Protection Services. This amendment extends the investigation period and includes additional contract numbers for security and VIP protection services procurement.

Proclamation 226 of 2024 now encompasses the procurement or contracting of security and VIP protection services, involving several specific contract numbers and any related extensions or variations. The SIU aims to ensure these processes were conducted fairly and transparently, without incurring irregular expenditures.

Any criminal activities uncovered during these investigations will be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority. The SIU is also empowered to pursue civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal to address any identified wrongdoing arising from corruption, fraud, or maladministration.