Note to Editors: Please note Tim Brauteseth, MPL sound bite in English
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is deeply concerned by recent findings presented to SCOPA by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the Public Service Commission (PSC), which reveal widespread corruption, non-compliance, and a lack of accountability across KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN’s) government institutions.
The SIU’s report highlights systemic financial misconduct and irregularities. In the 2024/2025 financial year, the SIU:
• Recovered over R40 million in cash and assets,
• Set aside contracts worth R499 million,
• Prevented potential losses of R886 million.
KZN’s Department of Education (DoE) was notably implicated, with:
• 46 referrals to the NPA,
• 21 disciplinary referrals with inconsistent outcomes,
• R6 million recovered and R33 million in civil litigation initiated.
The Department of Health (DoH) faced investigations into infrastructure and medico-legal claims, with one case alone preventing R2.7 billion in losses. However, disciplinary action was limited, and several officials resigned before facing consequences.
KZN’s municipalities were also affected:
• eThekwini Metro had 110 disciplinary referrals,
• Newcastle saw 15 disciplinary and 28 NPA referrals,
To make matters worse, the SIU reported that its financial sustainability is threatened by payment backlogs – R85 million remains unpaid from R236 million invoiced, with Umzumbe and Greater Kokstad among the worst defaulters.
The PSC’s briefing offered some positives, including a 100% financial disclosure rate from all 604 Senior Management Service members. However, concerns remain:
• Seven officials failed to disclose directorships,
• Three non-disclosures of private company directorships from staff within the DoE, including one senior staff member earning R2.8 million from a private company,
Alarmingly, 74 disciplinary cases involving R556 million in financial misconduct were reported, with no recoveries. Departments have also not reported on the disciplinary actions taken in these matters.
The PSC also reported on numerous precautionary suspensions being in place that currently cost R43 million in salaries per annum.
The DA will not allow these findings to be buried in bureaucracy. We demand urgent follow-ups, progress reports, and stronger collaboration between SCOPA, SIU, and PSC. As a committed partner within KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), we will ensure accountability and restore public trust.