Overview
- The SIU announced on Friday, May 22, 2026 that it has finalised settlement agreements with at least 16 companies and individuals who will pay R25-million of the R40-million linked to the Chachulani-related payments.
- The recoveries follow a 2022 Special Tribunal judgment that reviewed and set aside roughly R431-million in decontamination, disinfection and sanitisation contracts awarded by the Gauteng Department of Education.
- The Tribunal previously ordered preservation of about R27-million in assets and financial institutions have been instructed to debit those preserved amounts and transfer the settlement funds to the SIU within seven days of the order.
- The SIU’s probe found that GDE officials bypassed the department’s Supply Chain Management unit, used informal sourcing including WhatsApp referrals, and paid large flat fees of about R250,000–R300,000 that were not tied to the area cleaned or materials used.
- The SIU will refer any evidence of criminal conduct to the National Prosecuting Authority and retains the option to bring civil litigation to seek further recoveries, a step that could increase funds returned to schools and sharpen oversight of emergency procurement.