Zuko Komisa
- The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured R25 million in settlements from 16 individuals and suppliers linked to Chachulani Group Investment Holdings.
- The funds stem from R431 million in pandemic-era school sanitisation contracts awarded unlawfully via WhatsApp and personal referrals, bypassing official supply chains.
- Senior Gauteng Department of Education officials fixed arbitrary flat fees up to R300,000 per school, prompting the SIU to refer the case for criminal prosecution.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured R25 million in settlement agreements from 16 service providers and individuals linked to Chachulani Group Investment Holdings.
The funds will be transferred from frozen bank accounts within seven days, following a 2022 Special Tribunal order that voided R431 million in corrupt school sanitisation contracts awarded by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE).
An SIU probe revealed that GDE officials completely bypassed standard supply chain management protocols during the 2020 pandemic.
Instead, suppliers were sourced informally through personal referrals and WhatsApp messages, entirely avoiding official vetting procedures.
The procurement was also deemed highly uneconomical.
Rather than pricing services per square metre, a senior official arbitrarily fixed flat fees between R250,000 and R300,000 per property, regardless of school size or material costs.
The SIU confirmed that senior officials have admitted to the misconduct, and all evidence of criminal behaviour is being referred to the National Prosecuting Authority.
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