Pres Ramaphosa authorises SIU investigation into Knysna Municipality security tender

KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna Municipality's security tender dating back to 2017 has been placed under scrutiny and is the subject of an investigation authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa, according to the Special Investigating Unit's (SIU) official website, under its proclamations.

The proclamation reads: "SIU authorised to investigate building of a school and road in Northern Cape, Knysna Local Municipality security tender and extension of Chris Hani District Municipality water treatment contract."

Ramaphosa has signed three new proclamations and an amendment empowering the SIU to investigate allegations of serious maladministration, corruption and irregular expenditure in the Northern Cape Department of Education, the Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works, Chris Hani District Municipality and Knysna Local Municipality.

The SIU is mandated to investigate the allegations and recover any financial losses suffered by the state or the affected institutions.

Proclamation 334 of 2026
In terms of Proclamation 334 of 2026, the SIU will investigate alleged irregularities relating to Tender T25 of 2023/2024 for physical security services at Knysna Municipality.

According to the proclamation, the allegations to be investigated include alleged unfair procurement, improper conduct by officials and suppliers, and related financial losses suffered by the municipality.

The proclamation authorises the SIU to investigate any irregular, unlawful or improper conduct by officials, employees, suppliers or any other person or entity in relation to the allegations.

The investigation covers conduct dating from 8 December 2017 to 7 August 2026. It also allows the SIU to investigate conduct occurring before or after these dates where such conduct is relevant to the investigation and involves the same persons, entities or contracts.

'Time for answers has come'
Knysna councillor Jason White welcomed the investigation, saying the matter had been a serious concern and source of contention in Knysna for years, with questions raised both in Council and by residents.

"The time for answers has come," White said. "It is now important that we get to the bottom of what happened, how the tender was handled, whether the correct processes were followed, and whether the municipality, and by extension, its ratepayers, suffered any financial loss."

White said the Greater Knysna's residents deserved answers and accountability and should know that their money was being protected. "I welcome the SIU investigation and look forward to the facts coming to light," he said.

Municipality and SIU respond
Knysna Municipality acknowledged the proclamation, but said it was not in a position to provide further comment at this stage.

"We will provide our full co-operation. At this stage, we are unable to comment further," said Nwabisa Pondoyi, the communications officer.

The SIU also confirmed that it had received Knysna-Plett Herald's media query and was considering the questions.

"Thanks for reaching out. We've received your media query and are looking into it. We'll do our best to meet your deadline," said Gabisile Ngcobo, SIU's senior external communications officer.

Ngcobo cautioned that the proclamation was new and that the SIU might not yet be able to address some of the questions this publication submitted.

DA councillor Jason White has welcomed the SIU's investigation.