The Special Investigative Unit (SIU) has called on the public to come forward and report incidences of fraud and corruption.
In a recent interview with Capricon FM, SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, assured members of the public who come forward with information on fraud and corruption, that they will be protected.
“We are saying to South Africans, come and talk to us, we will protect you,” Kganyago told the Limpopo based radio station.
He also warned the public to be wary of imposters who purport to be representatives from the SIU.
“Do not allow anyone who come to you and say they are from the SIU, we can make this to go away.”
The SIU he said, continues to unravel many cases of fraud and corruption.
Among the many cases of success, Kganyago cited the investigation conducted in Limpopo on the water project and fraud and corruption cases at Eskom.
“By reporting fraud and corruption, we are protecting future generations. Corruption is starting to be a problem, people think they need to be compensated for doing their job, this is greed,” he said.
The Special Investigating Unit is an independent statutory body with its primary mandate being to investigate serious allegations of corruption, malpractice and maladministration in the administration of State institutions, State assets and public money as well as any conduct which may seriously harm the interests of the public, and to recover any financial losses suffered by State institutions through civil ligation.
It is empowered to take civil action to correct any wrongdoing it uncovers in its investigations.
The SIU investigations are dictated by the issuing of a Presidential Proclamation, and then to institute civil litigation proceedings either in a Special Tribunal or a High Court for the prevention or recovery of financial losses suffered by the State.
Once the investigation is completed, a final report is submitted to the President with an overview of the investigation and its findings, as well as the various recommendations made and their outcomes.
The SIU receives allegations either through its whistle-blower hotline, which is managed by an independent service provider; directly from state institutions themselves or alternatively through direct approaches from whistle-blowers, be it through walk-ins offices throughout the country, telephone calls or emails.