The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been authorised to broaden its inquiry into the KwaZulu‑Natal Department of Transport (DoT), President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Proclamation 351 of 2026 shows. The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the province has welcomed the expansion but warned that the department’s leadership must give investigators unhindered access to records and personnel.
What the expanded probe will examine
The proclamation extends the scope of the ongoing investigation to cover conduct up to 25 September 2026 and adds several specific areas of focus. Those include:
- The upgrade of Main Road P361
- District Roads D871 and D1290
- A subsidised public‑transport tender
- Variation orders linked to contracts ZNQ 4197 and ZNQ 4198, and the extension of Contract ZNB 136/17T
In a statement, the DA said the expanded probe follows concerns it has repeatedly raised about procurement, financial management and service delivery at the DoT.
“The SIU must now be given full access to DoT records, contracts, variation orders, payment records and correspondence,”
The DA underlined that any officials or contractors found to have acted unlawfully should face consequence management, including recovery of public funds where appropriate.
Scale of the financial concerns
The department has acknowledged more than R1.8 billion in outstanding invoices as at 31 March 2026, a figure the DA cites as evidence of poor financial control. The party said the SIU’s mandate must enable investigators to follow the paper trail and determine whether payments, contracts and variations were lawfully authorised.
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Main Road P361 | Upgrade included in expanded SIU scope |
| District Roads D871 & D1290 | Also included for review |
| Subsidised public‑transport tender | Subject to probe |
| Contracts ZNQ 4197, ZNQ 4198, ZNB 136/17T | Variation orders and extension to be examined |
DA calls for co‑operation and transparency
As a political partner in KwaZulu‑Natal’s Government of Provincial Unity, the DA said it will monitor the investigation closely. The party called explicitly on Provincial MEC for Transport Siboniso Duma and senior DoT management to co‑operate fully with the SIU, to publish findings when legally permissible and to implement a corrective‑action plan.
“Cooperation must never mean compromising accountability,” the DA said, stressing the need for reliable infrastructure and properly managed transport projects to support investment, jobs and businesses across the province.
Local impact and practical concerns
The SIU probe covers projects and contract processes that, if found to be irregular, could affect road maintenance schedules, delivery of subsidised transport services and contractor payments. For communities that rely on these services, delays or administrative disruption may translate into slower repairs, paused works or uncertainty over commuter services. The DA said recovery of misappropriated funds should be pursued where appropriate.
At this stage, the Proclamation sets the legal framework for the SIU to proceed; it does not itself make findings. The investigation will require access to departmental records, contract documentation and correspondence, and may lead to further action depending on what investigators uncover.
What to expect next
- The SIU will begin work within the expanded scope granted by the proclamation.
- The DA will monitor progress and press for publication of findings when permitted by law.
- The DoT has been urged to provide immediate and complete access to requested documents and personnel.
Residents and road users across KwaZulu‑Natal will be watching closely. The expanded probe raises questions about governance and oversight at a department responsible for major public works and commuter services across the province.
For now, the SIU inquiry is the formal mechanism that can determine whether the concerns raised amount to unlawful conduct and whether public money can be recovered.
