SIU raids Free State municipality amid graft claims

The operation was set up to collect evidence in accordance with Proclamation 182 of 2024, which directs the SIU to investigate allegations of maladministration of two tenders in the Masilonyana Local Municipality.

The contracts under scrutiny include refurbishing Brandfort Water Treatment Works and Raw Water Pump Stations and upgrading Brandfort Sports Centre Phase 2.

During the search, the SIU collected a range of documentation and devices essential for auditing and compliance concerning successful tenders awarded between 1 January 2013 and 13 September 2024, as outlined in Proclamation 182 of 2024.

“The seized materials, as stipulated in the warrant, include company registration documents, payment records (invoices, purchase orders, remittance advice), electronic devices, including laptops, mobile devices, and external storage media used by relevant officials and employees, and any associated electronic data, including emails and cloud storage information linked to specific personnel,” said SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.

The SIU said the search and seizure operation was the last resort to access the necessary documents for its investigation after several attempts to contact the municipality went unanswered.