Only 44 Out of 1,278 Officials Dismissed Following SIU Recommendations, Presidency Tells SCOPA
Only 44 out of 1,278 officials dismissed following SIU recommendations, Presidency tells SCOPA, as concerns mount over slow consequence management, vetting delays, and the failure to blacklist hundreds of implicated suppliers and individuals.
In a revealing presentation to Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) on 16 September 2025, the Presidency laid bare the sluggish progress in holding government officials accountable for wrongdoing uncovered by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). Jonathan Timm, a director in the Presidency, detailed how just 44 officials have been dismissed from a total of 1,278 flagged for disciplinary action, sparking outrage from MPs over what they see as a systemic failure to root out corruption. The briefing, which also covered vetting processes for supply chain management officials, highlighted resignations, ongoing cases, and a glaring shortfall in blacklisting corrupt entities, prompting ActionSA to vow a complaint to the Public Protector.
This session comes amid growing scrutiny of South Africa’s anti-corruption efforts, especially in the wake of the State Capture era and ongoing probes into mismanagement of public funds. The SIU, tasked with investigating corruption, maladministration, and fraud in state institutions, has been instrumental in uncovering these issues, but the implementation of its recommendations has lagged, raising questions about the government’s commitment to clean governance. SCOPA, chaired by Songezo Zibi, plays a key oversight role, and this meeting underscored the committee’s frustration with delays that allow implicated individuals to evade justice.
Slow Progress on Disciplinary Actions: Only 44 Dismissals Recorded
Timm’s presentation painted a stark picture of the state of consequence management. Out of the 1,278 officials implicated in SIU reports—many for doing business with the state or other forms of misconduct—370 cases have been finalised. Of these, only 44 resulted in dismissals from the public service. Several others faced milder sanctions, such as demotions, suspensions without pay, or written warnings. A further 608 cases remain in progress, while information is still awaited from various state organs for the remaining 300 individuals.
The implicated officials span high-ranking positions, including one acting head of department, three municipal managers, three deputy directors-general, 12 chief directors, and four chief financial officers. These roles are critical in public administration, and their involvement in wrongdoing often involves conflicts of interest, such as tender irregularities or personal gain from state contracts. Timm explained: “We have 370 finalised individuals. We recorded 44 dismissals from the public service. There are several more that have been found guilty and subjected to less severe forms of sanctions, such as demotion, suspension without pay, or written warnings.”
A troubling trend emerged with 55 officials resigning before their disciplinary processes could conclude. This tactic, often used to avoid accountability, allows individuals to potentially re-enter the public sector elsewhere without a blemished record. Timm acknowledged the issue, noting efforts to track such cases through the Personnel and Salary System (Persal) to ensure charges follow the officials if they return. “This is a challenge that we are seeking to address through a couple of interventions to ensure that the charges and cases follow those officials should they return to the public administration,” he said.
Vetting Delays and Refusals Raise Red Flags
The briefing also delved into the vetting of officials involved in supply chain management, a key area prone to corruption. The State Security Agency (SSA) is responsible for these checks, but delays persist due to non-compliance, such as officials failing to submit financial statements or missing polygraph appointments. Slow fingerprint checks by the South African Police Service (SAPS) and SSA’s own capacity constraints further exacerbate the problem.
Timm reported that the SSA has prioritised vetting for high-risk roles, including executives, supply chain managers, security personnel, ICT staff, and specialised positions. An action plan is in place to tackle the backlog, but MPs were unconvinced. EFF MP Veronica Mente-Nqweniso questioned why officials refusing vetting are not removed immediately, citing the case of former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter, who left without being vetted and later revealed sensitive information in a book. “What do we do when a person is refusing to be vetted? Why are we not removing them instantly? Why do we keep them until they are gone?” she asked.
SCOPA chairperson Songezo Zibi echoed these concerns, probing the handling of the 300 unresolved cases: “I do need to understand the process of what happens. Why do these get ignored?” These delays not only undermine anti-corruption efforts but also expose the state to ongoing risks from unvetted officials in sensitive roles.
Blacklisting Failures: Only One Out of 467 Added to Register
A major point of contention was the National Treasury’s Restricted Suppliers Register, designed to bar corrupt entities from state business. The SIU recommended 467 individuals and companies for inclusion, yet only one has been listed. This failure allows implicated parties to continue securing contracts, perpetuating cycles of maladministration.
ActionSA MP Alan Beesley slammed this as “not a bureaucratic paperwork problem but a systemic breakdown.” He argued that the lapse enables wrongdoers to escape accountability and keep profiting from public funds. In response, ActionSA announced plans to lodge a formal complaint with Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka, alleging systemic maladministration and demanding urgent reforms. “We will therefore submit a complaint to the Public Protector alleging systemic maladministration and failure to implement SIU consequence-management recommendations,” Beesley stated.
This issue underscores broader challenges in enforcing SIU findings, with critics pointing to a lack of political will or coordination between agencies.
Recent SIU Activities and Broader Context
The SIU has ramped up its efforts, issuing 14 investigative reports since November 2024 and securing 33 new proclamations from President Cyril Ramaphosa to probe suspected mismanagement. Entities under scrutiny include the City of Johannesburg, National Treasury, Department of Water and Sanitation, City of Ekurhuleni, and the Independent Development Trust. These probes have led to administrative, disciplinary, and systemic recommendations aimed at preventing future abuses.
A formal cooperation agreement between SCOPA chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa and SIU head Andy Mothibi seeks to intensify the anti-corruption fight, but the slow pace of implementation remains a hurdle. Analysts note that this briefing reflects ongoing post-State Capture reforms, yet persistent gaps allow corruption to thrive. Public sector unions have called for fair processes, while civil society groups like Corruption Watch demand faster action to restore trust.
Parliamentary Reactions and the Way Forward
MPs across parties voiced dismay at the figures, with calls for stricter measures to prevent resignations and vetting refusals. The session highlighted the need for better inter-agency coordination, including with the National Treasury and SSA. ActionSA’s complaint could trigger a deeper probe into Treasury’s handling of blacklisting, potentially leading to policy changes.
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