The Auditor-General of South Africa (AG) has launched a formal investigation into the Department of Transport following whistleblower claims that payments exceeding R10 million were made to Tigere Media, allegedly bypassing open tender requirements by keeping individual contracts below the R500,000 threshold since 2023.

Details Of Alleged Procurement Irregularities

The Citizen reported that the Department of Transport allegedly paid Tigere Media, a company owned by a Zimbabwean-born businessman, via a series of requests for quotations (RFQs), each reportedly structured to remain below the tender threshold. Such structuring would allow payments to proceed without triggering an open and competitive tender process, raising questions about compliance with public finance management regulations. These transactions occurred over successive months, beginning in 2023.

According to official procurement rules, contracts above R500,000 require an open tender to promote fairness and transparency. The allegations suggest a systematic avoidance of this process, prompting concerns about governance and accountability within the department. The AG’s office confirmed that the investigation is underway and will assess the validity of these allegations.

Official Response And Oversight Process

The Auditor-General’s office stated, “The audit will be conducted by a multidisciplinary team comprising both regularity audit and investigation specialists.” The audit forms part of the AG’s broader mandate to ensure that government departments adhere to legal and ethical procurement protocols. The outcome of the investigation will determine whether disciplinary or legal steps are warranted against any officials involved.

The Department of Transport has not yet issued a response to the AG’s announcement. Previous procurement irregularities within the public sector have often led to wider calls for reform and, in some cases, criminal prosecution, depending on the severity and substantiation of the findings.

The AG’s office has not provided a timeline for the completion of its investigation. Further updates are expected as audit findings become available.