The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) says its investigations protected R28.536 billion in public funds during the 2025/26 financial year through recovered money and assets, losses prevented, and contracts overturned in court.

Most of that figure was not money physically recovered by the state. The SIU recovered R936 million in cash or assets and says it prevented another R1.9 billion in potential losses. Contracts worth more than R25.7 billion were set aside through proceedings before the Special Tribunal and High Court.

The SIU is a state investigative body that investigates corruption, maladministration, and the misuse of public money after being authorised to investigate particular institutions or matters. It can pursue civil cases to recover money or overturn unlawful contracts, but does not itself prosecute people criminally.

During the year, the SIU closed 5 917 investigations and submitted 48 reports to the presidency. These included investigations involving Tembisa Hospital, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA), the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), eThekwini municipality, the Tshwane municipality’s Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works and the Department of Home Affairs.

The SIU also referred cases involving R10.7 billion in alleged civil wrongdoing for further civil proceedings. The largest contributor was its PRASA investigation, where civil proceedings worth R6.91 billion were instituted or conducted.

Where investigators found evidence that could point to criminal offences, the SIU referred those matters to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). A total of 761 criminal referrals involving officials, private companies, and individuals were made during the year.

A further 460 officials were referred to their government institutions for possible disciplinary action.

The SIU also expanded the use of lifestyle audits, conducting them at eight government departments and state-owned entities, including PRASA, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) and the Gauteng Office of the Premier.

SIU head Leonard Lekgetho said tackling corruption required cooperation across government and society.

“If we’re serious about ending the scourge of corruption, we need to ensure that the opportunity to commit corruption is reduced; the ability to conceal corruption is weakened; and that those responsible face appropriate consequences,” Lekgetho said.

The figures show the different ways the SIU can protect public money. Only R936 million of the R28.536 billion was recovered as cash or assets, while the bulk came from preventing losses and having contracts worth billions of rand overturned.