- South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has issued Proclamation 267 of 2025 which authorises the country’s Special Investigations Unit to investigate allocation of discretionary grant funding to entities in which employees or officials of the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) may have had undisclosed or unauthorised interests, and the extent of any benefit so derived by such employees or officials of CHIETA.
- CHIETA is actively involved in developing skills and qualifications for South Africa’s green hydrogen sector. Read more
- The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that occurred between 1 January 2016 and 13 June 2025, as well as any related activities before 1 January 2016 and after the date of the Proclamation that are pertinent to the matters under investigation or involve the same persons, entities, or contracts.
- During this time, CHIETA has received “clean audits” from the Auditor-General of South Africa.
The SIU will also seek to establish whether the CHIETA or the State suffered any losses or actual or potential prejudice as a result of fraud, corruption, irregularities, malpractices or maladministration.
Additionally, the SIU will probe the procurement of, or contracting for, information and communications technology services and auditing services by or on behalf of CHIETA, and whether payments made for these services were conducted in a manner that was fair, equitable, transparent, competitive, and cost-effective. Any actions contrary to applicable legislation, including directives from the National Treasury, as well as CHIETA’s guidelines and policies, will be scrutinised. The SIU examine whether there is any irregular, improper, or unlawful conduct by CHIETA employees, officials, or other associated parties, along with any resulting wasteful or fruitless expenditure incurred by CHIETA or the State.
Beyond investigating maladministration, corruption, and fraud, the SIU is committed to identifying systemic failures and recommending measures to prevent future losses.
In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU will refer any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.
Under the SIU Act, the SIU is also authorised to initiate a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to address any wrongdoing identified during its investigation resulting from acts of corruption, fraud, or maladministration.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
