Special Investigating Unit granted order to freeze service providers bank accounts

SIU granted order to freeze money held in bank accounts of service providers contracted by Gauteng government to refurbish Anglogold Ashanti Hospital

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) was granted an order by the Special Tribunal (Tribunal) on 17 September 2021, to freeze R7.9 million held in bank accounts of one Professional Service Provider (PSP) and one Contractor appointed by the Gauteng Provincial Government to refurbish AngloGold Ashanti Hospital (AGA Hospital) near Carletonville.

The SIU has reasonable grounds to believe that the funds are the proceeds of unlawful activity and fall to be forfeited to the State, or otherwise dealt with as part of proposed Review proceedings to set aside the contracts of all the PSPs and Contractors involved in the refurbishment of the AGA Hospital.

The Tribunal order prohibits the PSP and the Contractor from dealing in any manner with the money held in the bank accounts pending the final review proceedings to be instituted by the SIU within 60 days of the date of the order.

The SIU was, in terms of Proclamation No. R.23 of 2020, directed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate allegations of corruption, malpractice, maladministration and irregularities in the procurement of, and contracting for goods, works and/or services (including leased accommodation) during the Covid-19 state of disaster, and in respect of resulting payments.

Source: Government of South Africa