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The Minister of Employment and Labour, Ms. Nomakhosazana Meth, has welcomed the proclamation signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe allegations of maladministration, corruption, and unlawful conduct linked to training contracts within the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSIRA).

Proclamation 316 of 2026 mandates the SIU to investigate the procurement of training services, intentional or negligent financial losses suffered by the State, and whether public funds were utilized in a fair, competitive, transparent, and cost-effective manner.

The investigation zooms in on training programmes meant to benefit 7 071 learners across all nine provinces, covering Election Observer Training, End-User Computing Training, and PSIRA Grade E to C Training. The probe spans conduct that occurred between 1 January 2019 and 3 June 2026, with the scope to look beyond this period, if linked to the core allegations.

Minister Meth emphasized that this decisive action aligns directly with the Department’s steadfast commitment to clean governance, accountability, and the total eradication of corruption inside its entities.

"Public funds are sacred. The funds were meant to upskill and empower vulnerable learners and the unemployed. Any irregular or unlawful diversion of these resources is an affront to the citizens of this country. We are fully in support of this investigation, and will ensure that our entities provide total cooperation to the SIU," said Minister Meth.

The Minister further welcomed the SIU’s mandate to institute civil proceedings in the High Court or Special Tribunal to set aside unlawful contracts and recover stolen State funds, as well as its commitment to refer any evidence of criminal conduct straight to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

"Those who have compromised the integrity of our skills development programmes for personal gain, must face the full might of the law. We want to ensure that every cent allocated

to changing the lives of workers and work-seekers is fully accounted," concludes Minister Meth.

issued by the Department of Employment and Labour