A R67m recovery order obtained by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) on Friday against a contractor that defrauded the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure has been welcomed by Minister Dean Macpherson.

He described the development as a critical victory in the fight against corruption, reports The Citizen.

The order was granted by the Special Tribunal against Kroucamp Plumbers. The company secured contracts worth R67m from the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure between 2015 and 2019.

The SIU has called the method of obtaining these contracts a ‘corrupt network’ of falsified bids, undisclosed conflicts of interest and payments to state officials.

‘This recovery order is another important step in our efforts to root out corruption and recover stolen public funds,’ Macpherson said.

‘Those who defraud the state and think they can get away with it must think again.’

According to the department, the order not only facilitates the recovery of the full contract value. It also prevents a looming R33m counter-claim that Kroucamp Plumbers had intended to bring against it.

The SIU’s investigation uncovered a manipulation of tender processes by officials working in concert with the contractor.

This forms part of a broader pattern of fraud that Macpherson’s ministry has pledged to dismantle.

‘Since taking office, we have worked closely with the SIU to support and expedite investigations into corruption, mismanagement and fraud across the department,’ Macpherson said.

The department is now finalising lifestyle audits for more than 400 high-risk officials. This aims to reinforce financial accountability and improve procurement transparency.

Full report in The Citizen