PRETORIA, Gauteng — The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has seized files and electronic devices at the headquarters of the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA) as part of a sweeping R130 million training probe. The operation marks a significant escalation in the scrutiny of a national capacity-building project that allegedly left thousands of unemployed young South Africans without promised skills development.
According to SIU spokesperson Selby Makgotho, the investigation centers on a national project worth approximately R130 million, implemented through an arrangement between PSIRA and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). The contract was designed to cover critical capacity-building areas, including end-user computing skills for unemployed youth and the training of election observers for the 2024 elections, initially targeting more than 7,000 individuals.
However, investigators allege that about 5,000 people who were supposed to benefit from the project were never trained, despite approximately R73 million being paid in advance to various service providers.
To secure crucial evidence, the SIU filled five bakkies with boxes of physical documents and confiscated 19 electronic devices from PSIRA’s offices. Selby Makgotho confirmed that these devices will be perused, interrogated, and analyzed to establish what happened to the funds and whether irregularities occurred in the awarding and implementation of the tender.
“The view here is to review and set aside the contracts,” the SIU spokesperson stated, noting that the unit will approach the special tribunal to request an order to nullify the agreements.
Beyond contract cancellation, the SIU plans to make formal referrals and systemic recommendations. These will task PSIRA and relevant regulatory bodies with examining the roles played by various officials and individuals in sourcing funds, processing payments, and facilitating irregular transactions.
The spokesperson emphasized that legal processes could follow to recover any money found to have been irregularly paid.
In response to the raid, PSIRA stated that it reserves the right to engage with the media on the matter as the investigation unfolds.
