MAHIKENG MAIL - MAHIKENG: Finally, a proclamation for the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to probe contracts into the North West Development Corporate (NWDC) has come - nine years later. This after Mahikeng Mail uncovered the shenanigans in the corporation through a series of reports which date back as far as August 2018, questioning the NWDC’s involvement in the contracts.
President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday this week signed Proclamation 270 of 2025, amending Proclamation 30 of 2019 to expand the SIU to investigate contracts awarded to Tokiso Security Services CC to provide security services to the NWDC and 17 other provincial government entities which paid more than R120 million to the subsidiary company of the NWDC.
At the time when Mahikeng Mail started reporting about the wide-ranging reports received from whistle-blowers, opposition parties as well as disgruntled employees, both NWDC and Naphtronics (Pty) Ltd denied any involvement of maladministration, corruption and fraud until NWDC parted ways with Tokiso, leaving behind hundreds of employees frustrated and facing a bleak future.
The current proclamation empowers the SIU to investigate maladministration related to the establishment of Tokiso Security Services as a subsidiary of the NWDC and to examine all contracts where Tokiso Security Services CC was appointed to render security services.
The expansion of the investigation scope will allow the SIU to determine whether the security service contracts were awarded appropriately and if any irregularities, maladministration, or financial losses to the state occurred during the procurement process.
The SIU will investigate whether proper procedures were followed in appointing Tokiso Security Services CC and whether any officials, employees or service providers acted improperly.
Additionally, the amendment extends the investigation period to include conduct up to the date of the proclamation’s publication on 18 July 2025.
The ISU will further investigate irregularities in contracts associated with the NWDC, including the Youth Enterprise Combo implemented by MVEST Trust, security services provided by Naphtronics (Pty) Ltd and the purchase of the Christiana Hotel and Game Farm.
Beyond investigating maladministration, corruption and fraud, the SIU is committed to identify systemic failures and recommending measures to prevent future losses.
