Head of the Unit, Advocate Andy Mothibi, has told the media they are seeing more and more resignations of officials embroiled in irregular tenders and have been working on measures to ensure that their pension funds are frozen and state money recovered. 

Addressing the media on allegations of corruption over the procurement of PPEs by organs of state, Mothibi said a number of investigations are underway involving officials in different municipalities, provincial departments, including in the presidency’s office. He announced that several referrals have been made to the Prosecuting Authority against officials in the different provinces as well as against the spokesperson of the President Khuselo Diko.

OFM News previously reported that Diko went on special leave in July 2020 after concerns about the awarding of Gauteng Health Department PPE contracts to a company linked to her husband. Mothibi on Friday confirmed the contracts are still under investigation.

He further confirmed that municipal officials in two North West municipalities, as well as an official in the Free State Treasury, have been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority.

Whilst Mothibi has not said anything about the multimillion-rand PPE tenders said to have irregularly been awarded to former Free State Premier Ace Magashule’s sons, OFM News previously reported on how opposition parties have called for investigations.

Contracts with a combined value of R2.7 million in the Free State were awarded to Motheko Projects and Marvel Deeds, owned by Magashule's sons. It is alleged Tshepiso Magashule and his younger brother Thato benefited from the Free State Treasury to provide PPEs amidst the coronavirus pandemic as a result of their father's close relationship with the MEC for Finance.

The Free State Treasury Department has since defended the awarding of tenders to Magashule's sons, stating that the companies tendered just like any other company in the province and met the criteria.

Mothibi has meanwhile confirmed investigations against the official within the Provincial Treasury are underway.

OFM News