Cape Town – The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has expressed satisfaction with the High Court in Gauteng’s decision to reject an appeal by two construction companies involved in the Beitbridge border fence project.
The companies, Caledon River Properties and Profteam CC, had received contracts worth R40.4 million from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Following the fence’s poor construction and public outcry, in July 2020, President Cyril Ramaphosa granted authorisation to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) via Proclamation No. R. 23 of 2020. This authorisation empowered the SIU to scrutinise the activities of all State institutions concerning the acquisition or contracting of goods, works, and services, both during and in relation to the National State of Disaster, carried out either directly or on behalf of State institutions.
Last year, the Special Tribunal nullified the contracts and ordered the companies to repay profits.
The recent High Court ruling upheld this decision, demanding audited financial statements, expense reports, and expert evaluation of the companies’ expenditures.
The court mandated the repayment of profits to the public works department based on expert assessments.
“The SIU welcomes the order of the High Court, as it enforces the implementation of the Unit’s investigation outcomes and consequence management”
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
