KZN municipal IT manager’s pension frozen over R5m software tender

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has obtained a directive to freeze the pension payments of a KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Information Technology manager, Yaw Owusu-Boakye. Owusu-Boakye could lose R2.7 million in pension benefits if found to have improperly benefited from a software procurement worth R5.27 million. Owusu-Boakye was employed by the Greater Kokstad Local Municipality, where he allegedly secured a three-year software contract for his company, Obytech Solutions.

According to the SIU, Owusu-Boakye manipulated the procurement process through fraudulent representations in bid documents. Investigations revealed that he was a signatory to Obytech Solutions' bank account, giving him control over the funds. The SIU investigation began in 2025, aiming to uncover corruption and unlawful activities in Greater Kokstad dating back to January 2022.

The SIU is seeking an order to have the funds returned to the municipality, as it claims the deal provided little or no value, with services worth R3.4 million not delivered. Obytech Solutions received the R5.2 million in three installments between March 2023 and January 2025. Owusu-Boakye resigned in June 2025 when the investigation commenced.

The SIU will now investigate another R150 million road maintenance tender from March 2021, focusing on procurement and payment irregularities, as well as potential fraud by officials.