{
  "id": 6089881,
  "title": "Find out what the SIU discovered about government tender scams",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/find-out-what-the-siu-discovered-about-government-tender-scams",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-07T03:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/find-out-what-the-siu-discovered-about-government-tender-scams/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": null,
  "summary": "The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has identified a common trend of government departments splitting tenders to circumvent competitive bidding processes, particularly for procurements below R500 000. This practice, often accompanied by the splitting of orders, has been observed in various procurement irregularities, as highlighted by The Citizen. In one instance, the auditor-general (AG) Tsakani Maluleke questioned R6.795 million in livestreaming and media services procured by the department of transport through seven separate RFQs, each below the R1 million threshold that triggers an open competitive bidding process. The department has denied any deliberate splitting, but the SIU's findings suggest that the procurement pattern warrants further scrutiny. In the investigation into massive corruption at Tembisa Hospital, the SIU found that officials deliberately kept transactions below the R500 000 threshold, enabling them to use the three-quotation system instead of more rigorous competitive tender processes. This investigation identified at least 15 current and former officials involved in corruption, money laundering, collusion, and bid rigging. The AG's transport department audit found broader media-related requirements estimated at R9.34 million, with expenditure involving the identified suppliers totaling R5.964 million during 2025-26 and R7.311 million in the preceding financial year. The AG recommended determining the full extent of irregular expenditure and considering consequence management for officials responsible for the splitting of procurement requirements.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}