Latest news with #KroucampPlumbers
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
SIU obtains R67m recovery order against plumbing contractor
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured a recovery order of R67m against a plumbing contractor associated with the Department of Public Works, preventing a potential loss of R33m. Contracts declared invalid and unlawful This action follows the Special Tribunal's review, which led to the cancellation of contracts totalling R67m that were awarded to Kroucamp Plumbers between 2015 and 2019. These contracts were for services related to vacuum pumping of septic tanks and emergency interventions for sewage blockages. 'The tribunal has declared these contracts invalid and unlawful and has ordered the service provider to refund the funds received from the department in relation to these contracts,' a statement from the SIU read. Counterclaim dismissed According to the SIU, the comprehensive financial recovery includes R46.6m from invalid 2015 to 2017 contracts, and R20m from unlawful 2017 to 2019 tenders. The tribunal also dismissed a counterclaim of R33m, which Kroucamp Plumbers had submitted against the department. 'This counterclaim was effectively contested by the SIU, resulting in a favourable outcome for the department.' SIU investigation reveals misconduct The order follows an investigation conducted by the SIU, which uncovered a complex network of corruption involving falsified bidding documents, undisclosed conflicts of interest, and payments made to officials who manipulated the tendering process. 'The investigation revealed that Kroucamp Plumbers misrepresented its Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) status, submitted incomplete bidding information, and colluded with departmental officials to secure contracts totalling millions of rands.' Kroucamp might be held personally responsible In addition, the tribunal determined that the company's director, Johannes Jacobus Kroucamp, exploited the corporate structure for personal gain, thereby jeopardising the interests of the state. 'Judge David Makhoba emphasised the gravity of the misconduct, indicating that the tenders breached constitutional procurement regulations and eroded public trust. 'The ruling annuls both contracts and revokes the juristic personality of Kroucamp Plumbers, requiring the company to compensate the state for the financial losses incurred. Consequently, Kroucamp may be held personally accountable for the company's debts owed to the state,' the statement said. The SIU conducted its investigation into the Kroucamp Plumbers corruption case under Proclamation R20 of 2018. 'This proclamation authorised the SIU to investigate allegations of serious maladministration, improper conduct, and corruption in the awarding of tenders by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure.' The SIU explained that it is also empowered to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal to address any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations related to corruption, fraud or maladministration. In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU refers any evidence of criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action. – Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Macpherson hails SIU's R67m recovery from ‘corrupt' contractor
The Special Tribunal has ordered R67 million be recovered from Kroucamp Plumbers after the contractor defrauded the public works department. A R67 million recovery order obtained by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) on Friday against a contractor that defrauded the department of public works and infrastructure has been welcomed by Minister Dean Macpherson. He described the development as a critical victory in the fight against corruption. The order was granted by the Special Tribunal, targeting Kroucamp Plumbers. The company secured contracts worth R67 million from the department of public works and infrastructure (DPWI) 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. Counterclaim averted in major legal win '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 R33 million counterclaim that Kroucamp Plumbers had intended to bring against the DPWI. 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 case against Kroucamp Plumbers is a prime example of the importance of our collaboration.' ALSO READ: Zikalala slams 'spurious' allegations about R45m IDT lease deal, heads to Public Protector Lifestyle audits for over 400 officials underway The department is now finalising lifestyle audits for more than 400 high-risk officials. This aims to reinforce financial accountability and improve procurement transparency. 'Together with law enforcement agencies, we will continue to send a clear message that corruption will not be tolerated,' Macpherson added. 'We are working hard to turn the department of public works and Infrastructure into the economic delivery unit of South Africa.' Macpherson reaffirmed that the department is determined to ensure all infrastructure projects are delivered on time, within budget and free from corruption. NOW READ: Macpherson vows action on failed projects and EPWP reform
IOL News
6 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
SIU thwarts R33 million claim and recovers R67 million from Kroucamp Plumbers
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago announces the recovery of R67 million from Kroucamp Plumbers following the Special Tribunal's landmark ruling, which also prevents a potential R33 million loss to the state. Image: File The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured a victory for the state, recovering R67 million from Kroucamp Plumbers (Pty) Ltd after the Special Tribunal reviewed and set aside unlawful contracts awarded by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure. SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago says the Tribunal's ruling not only recovers public funds but also prevents a potential R33 million loss following the dismissal of a counterclaim brought by Kroucamp Plumbers against the department. The Tribunal declared contracts worth R67 million, awarded between 2015 and 2019 for vacuum pumping of septic tanks and emergency sewage blockage interventions, invalid and unlawful. As a result, the service provider has been ordered to refund all payments received from the department. The financial recovery includes R46 613 873.26 from contracts between 2015 and 2017 and R20 389 052.70 from tenders between 2017 and 2019. The SIU investigation revealed a web of corruption involving falsified bidding documents, undisclosed conflicts of interest, and payments to officials who manipulated the tendering process. "The SIU investigation revealed that Kroucamp Plumbers misrepresented its Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) status, submitted incomplete bidding information, and colluded with departmental officials to secure contracts totalling millions of rand," Kganyago said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The Tribunal further found that Mr. Johannes Jacobus Kroucamp, the director of Kroucamp Plumbers, had abused the corporate structure for personal gain, ultimately jeopardising the interests of the state. Judge D. Makhoba highlighted the seriousness of the misconduct, stating that the tenders "breached constitutional procurement regulations and eroded public trust." As part of the ruling, both contracts were annulled, and Kroucamp Plumbers' juristic personality was revoked, making the company liable for repaying the state. This decision opens the possibility for Mr. Kroucamp to be held personally responsible for the company's debts owed to the state. The investigation was conducted under Proclamation R20 of 2018, which empowered the SIU to probe allegations of maladministration, improper conduct, and corruption within the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure's tender processes. "The SIU is also empowered to institute civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal to address any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations related to corruption, fraud, or maladministration," Kganyago said. "In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU refers any evidence of criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action." IOL News
TimesLIVE
7 days ago
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Special Tribunal sets aside R67m public works plumbing contracts
The Special Tribunal has declared contracts worth R67m awarded by the department of public works and infrastructure to Kroucamp Plumbers invalid and unlawful and ordered the company to refund the department. The contracts were awarded between 2015 and 2019 and were for services related to vacuum pumping of septic tanks and emergency sewage blockage interventions. The tribunal also dismissed a counterclaim of R33m, which Kroucamp Plumbers had submitted against the department. In a statement, the SIU said it contested the counterclaim, resulting in a favourable outcome for the department. The order follows an investigation conducted by the SIU which uncovered a complex network of corruption involving falsified bidding documents, undisclosed conflicts of interest, and payments made to officials who manipulated the tendering process. The SIU said its investigation revealed that Kroucamp Plumbers misrepresented its B-BBEE status, submitted incomplete bidding information and colluded with departmental officials to secure contracts totalling millions of rand. 'The tribunal determined that the company's director, Johannes Jacobus Kroucamp, exploited the corporate structure for personal gain, thereby jeopardising the interests of the state,' SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said. According to Kganyago, judge David Makhoba emphasised the gravity of the misconduct, indicating that the tenders breached constitutional procurement regulations and eroded public trust. 'The ruling annuls both contracts and revokes the juristic personality of Kroucamp Plumbers, requiring the company to compensate the state for the financial losses incurred. Consequently, Mr Kroucamp may be held personally accountable for the company's debts owed to the state,' Kganyado said. President Cyril Ramaphosa directed the SIU, under Proclamation R20 of 2018, to investigate allegations of serious maladministration, improper conduct and corruption in the awarding of tenders by the department of public works and infrastructure. The SIU is also empowered to institute civil action in the high court or a special tribunal to address any wrongdoing uncovered during investigations related to corruption, fraud or maladministration.
