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The SIU has pounced on a municipality in the Western Cape.
- The SIU arrived in the municipality of Cederberg, Western Cape, with a search and seizure warrant in accordance with the presidential proclamation to investigate the acquisition of PPE.
- The unit’s first attempt was blocked last week apparently because the unit did not have a warrant or a copy of the proclamation.
- The SIU said it is working within the scope of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s proclamation and did not need a court order.
The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) arrived in the Western Cape municipality of Cederberg on Monday with a search and seizure warrant as it extends its investigation of procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE).
SIU spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said the unit entered to seize documents.
This development is related to an investigation of the Matzikama municipality spending on PPE during the Covid-19 pandemic, and to see if the proper procedures were followed.
READ | SIU attacks the Western Cape municipality and supplier for irregular acquisition of EPP
Investigators were following a possible link between three companies that he pointed to in the Matzikama investigation and the ANC-led municipality of Cederberg, leading to the actions on Monday.
Kganyago said it could not reveal the names of the companies and that the amounts in question were not yet available as the documents had to be examined first.
Action
He said the action was in line with Proclamation R23 of 2020, which does not require a court order for the seizure of documents. However, after the SIU was blocked last week, he obtained a court order and returned on Monday.
The Proclamation deals with the alleged intentional waste or loss of public money.
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In a statement issued by the ANC in the Western Cape, the party said ANC Mayor Sylvia Qunta supports Ramaphosa’s power to declare a proclamation, but disagreed with the SIU’s attempt to connect private laptops and cell phones. without a proclamation or court order.
The statement read:
This type of conduct is unacceptable, and the courts will be contacted for review when appropriate. The Municipality of Cederberg has procured PPE and food packages in accordance with its recognized policies and prescriptions and will assist SIU in its investigation.
He added: “The SIU must act with respect and treat staff members with dignity. The Municipality has nothing to hide and will continue to assist the SIU in its investigations as long as these investigations are carried out legally with due respect for constitutional rights. “.
