President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe alleged irregularities, maladministration, and unlawful conduct in key state institutions, including entities involved in vaccine research and development, as well as South African Airways (SAA).
The SIU has been mandated to investigate procurement and contracting processes linked to four major vaccine research programmes at the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
These projects include work on a National Vaccine Manufacturing Strategy, the development of a broader national vaccine strategy, and initiatives related to a Virus-Like Particles (VLP) research platform.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the investigation will determine whether the contracting and procurement processes “were conducted in a manner that was not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable, or cost-effective.”
He added that investigators will also examine potential violations of legislation, National Treasury regulations, circulars, and internal institutional policies. The probe will cover alleged irregularities that occurred between 1 January 2021 and 19 December 2025.
Meanwhile, Proclamation 303 of 2025 amends an earlier presidential proclamation related to SAA, extending the SIU’s scope to include South African Airways Technical and broadening the review of procurement activities.
According to Kganyago, the investigation will now also cover maintenance, repair and operations services, as well as transportation services for cabin crew at various outstations.
He said the updated proclamation “strengthens the SIU’s mandate to thoroughly investigate any undisclosed or unauthorised interests that board members, vendors, employees, officials, agents, or related parties may have had with bidders, suppliers, contractors, investors or shareholders.”
The amended proclamation further extends the investigation period to cover activities dating back to 1 January 2002 up to 19 December 2025.
Kganyago confirmed that the SIU is authorised to refer any criminal findings to the National Prosecuting Authority and may institute civil proceedings in the High Court or Special Tribunal to recover financial losses suffered by the state.