SIU SEARCHES PSIRA HEADQUARTERS

SIU Searches PSiRA Headquarters Over R130 Million Training Contract
Centurion, Gauteng — The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has launched an investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding training contracts involving the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA) and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).
The investigation follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s signing of Proclamation 316 of 2026, which authorises the SIU to probe allegations of maladministration, improper or unlawful conduct and possible financial losses involving the two institutions.
The investigation includes training programmes intended to benefit 7,071 learners across all nine provinces, including PSIRA Grade E to C training, Election Observer Training and End-User Computing Training.
The programme has attracted scrutiny over whether the training contracted and paid for was actually delivered and whether learners received the qualifications they were promised.
Parliamentary records and previous reporting indicate that 6,507 people were trained under one component of the programme, but only 118 were officially accredited at the time the matter was raised before Parliament. The programme was originally launched in 2019 and was intended to run for six months, but continued for several years.
The Auditor-General also raised concerns about an upfront payment of more than R30 million to a supplier before training had commenced. Parliamentary records indicate that the matter was subsequently referred to the SIU in July 2025.
The SIU has been mandated to establish whether payments connected to the contracts were made in a manner that was fair, competitive, transparent, equitable and cost-effective. Investigators will also examine allegations involving improper conduct by officials, irregular or unauthorised transactions and intentional or negligent losses of public funds.
The investigation covers conduct dating from 1 January 2019 to 3 June 2026, although the SIU can investigate related matters outside that period where they are connected to the contracts, people or entities under investigation. Evidence of possible criminal conduct can be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority, while the SIU can institute civil proceedings to recover losses or set aside unlawful contracts.
PSiRA has previously initiated civil litigation and arbitration proceedings aimed at recovering financial losses reportedly exceeding R52 million. Parliamentary records also indicate that, as part of the recovery process, PSiRA verified 2,939 learners as competent, while further cohorts remained subject to verification.
The SIU investigation remains ongoing. Allegations of wrongdoing have not yet been established as criminal or civil liability against specific individuals or entities.
The investigation is expected to determine where the money went, what training was actually delivered and whether the State received value for the funds spent.