SIU Expands North West Development Probe to Cover Tokiso Security Contracts

The initial SIU proclamation, gazetted earlier, focused on maladministration surrounding the establishment of Tokiso Security Services as a subsidiary of the NWDC.

The scope of the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) inquiry into alleged corruption and maladministration within the North West Development Corporation (NWDC) has widened, following the signing of an amended proclamation by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The latest development adds a new layer to an already complex investigation into state capture at the provincial level.

The expansion will now include all security service contracts involving Tokiso Security Services CC, a company that was controversially established as a subsidiary of the NWDC and contracted to provide security services across the North West provincial government ecosystem.

From Subsidiary to Centre of Investigation

The initial SIU proclamation, gazetted earlier, focused on maladministration surrounding the establishment of Tokiso Security Services as a subsidiary of the NWDC. The firm was meant to centralize and streamline security provisions across government entities, including the NWDC itself, various provincial departments, public entities, and government business enterprises.

However, questions quickly emerged regarding the company’s legal formation, procurement protocols, and service delivery standards, prompting the President to instruct the SIU to deepen its investigation.

The newly amended proclamation allows the SIU to probe all contracts awarded to Tokiso Security Services CC, not only within the NWDC but across the provincial government infrastructure. This expansion is particularly significant given the increasing scrutiny of service delivery failures, questionable expenditure, and security-related procurement across North West Province.

Focus Areas: Procurement, Maladministration, and Accountability

The SIU clarified that the extended mandate would enable it to scrutinize whether the awarding of contracts to Tokiso Security Services CC followed due process, and to determine whether maladministration, corruption, or undue influence played a role in the selection and contracting process.

“The expansion of the investigation scope will allow the SIU to determine whether the security service contracts were awarded appropriately and if any irregularities, maladministration, or financial losses to the state occurred during the procurement process,” the unit said in a statement.

The period under investigation extends to the publication date of the amended proclamation (Friday, July 19, 2025). This gives investigators a broad timeline to assess not only initial contract awards but also ongoing engagements that may still be active.

Crucially, the SIU will also examine the conduct of officials and employees involved, seeking to identify individuals or entities who may have violated public procurement regulations or abused their positions.

Beyond Tokiso: Other High-Risk Projects Under Review

The Tokiso investigation is part of a larger probe into the NWDC, which is already under scrutiny for its management of several questionable projects. These include:

• The Youth Enterprise Combo implemented by MVEST Trust, which has come under fire for a lack of transparency and tangible outcomes despite significant budget allocations;

• Security services provided by Naphtronics (Pty) Ltd, another firm that may have received preferential treatment or benefited from irregular contract extensions;

• The controversial purchase of the Christiana Hotel and Game Farm, a deal that raised red flags over property valuation, financial oversight, and asset management.

Each of these projects is being assessed not only for fraud and corruption but also for systemic failures in governance, accountability, and public sector capacity.

Criminal Referrals and Legal Action on the Horizon

In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act (Act No. 74 of 1996), the SIU confirmed it will refer any evidence of criminal activity to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for prosecution. This includes potential violations of the Public Finance Management Act, the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, and other financial misconduct statutes.

The SIU may also recommend the recovery of funds through civil litigation at the Special Tribunal, which is empowered to adjudicate matters arising from SIU investigations.

Toward Systemic Reform

While the probe’s immediate goal is to uncover and prosecute wrongdoing, the SIU emphasized its broader mission to identify structural weaknesses in provincial procurement systems.

“Beyond investigating maladministration, corruption, and fraud, the SIU is committed to identifying systemic failures and recommending measures to prevent future losses,” the statement noted.

A Province Under Watch

The North West Province has long been viewed as a hotbed of administrative decay and public sector mismanagement. This expanded SIU probe could pave the way for long-overdue reforms in governance, procurement, and financial oversight.

As the investigation unfolds, all eyes will be on how the findings translate into tangible consequences—not just for those implicated, but also in reshaping institutional practices to prevent future abuse.

The SIU has yet to announce a projected completion date for the investigation, but the inclusion of the new Tokiso contracts signals that the corruption watchdog is digging deeper than ever before in one of South Africa’s most troubled provincial administrations.