SETLAGOLE, NORTH WEST — The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has launched a formal investigation into the procurement and contracting of a R150 million road maintenance project between Setlagole and Delareyville in the North West, following allegations of irregular expenditure and severe operational delays.
President Saposa officially authorized the SIU to investigate the matter, which centers on the special maintenance of the 58-kilometre road. Records indicate that the project commenced in March 2022 with an original contract period of 17 months. However, by September 2024, the project had expended approximately R98 million while physical progress stood at only 44 percent, a discrepancy that resulted in contractual penalties.
The SIU’s mandate will determine whether officials, service providers, or other parties involved in the contract engaged in improper or unlawful conduct. The probe will specifically examine allegations of fraud, as well as any unauthorized, irregular, or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred during the road project.
The prolonged timeline has had a tangible impact on local communities. A local scholar transport and taxi operator who has worked on the route for several years, stated that the maintenance took far longer than expected to complete. He noted frequent changes in the contractors assigned to the road over the years. According to the driver, the sluggish progress turned what should be a routine commute into a two-hour ordeal, creating a dire and costly impact on his business. He added that private vehicle owners were similarly affected by the delays.
The North West Department of Public Works and Roads has confirmed it is fully cooperating with the SIU. Departmental MEC Sempe Mokua addressed the context of the contract, noting that the awarding dates back to a period when the department operated under section 101B of the Constitution. During that time, constitutional powers were bestowed upon the national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to fulfill the duties and obligations of the accounting officer for the provincial department.
MEC Mokua stated that she will engage the national Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure on the matter. While the road maintenance project has now been completed, the department emphasized that it will not make any further comments while the SIU investigation remains active.
Attempts to contact the primary contractor involved in the project for comment were unsuccessful, as they remained unreachable. The SIU investigation is ongoing.
