Ramaphosa: SIU reports show government’s commitment to fighting corruption and we will act on them

African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa says reports from the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) show the government is serious about tackling corruption, and action will be taken.

Ramaphosa was speaking during a media briefing at the ANC’s special National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, held at the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni. 

The three-day meeting ran from Saturday, October 4, to Monday, October 6, focusing on key issues such as party resolutions, the economic action plan, organisational priorities, and preparations for the 2026 local government elections.

In his closing remarks, Ramaphosa emphasised that corruption undermines the country’s global competitiveness.

“Corruption corrodes competitiveness. We therefore insist on consequence management, lifestyle audits and the enforcement of integrity standards across the public sector,” he said.

“The SIU reports that are coming through are demonstrating that we are serious about fighting corruption - and they will be acted on.”

He added that the SIU had made significant progress in helping the government address widespread corruption.

“Government reform is not only about compliance; it is also about restoring public confidence and trust, and enabling the state to lead investment and industrialisation effectively.”

Ramaphosa’s comments follow an interim SIU report exposing how syndicates bypassed tender processes to loot more than R2 billion from Tembisa Hospital.

The investigation was prompted by the 2021 murder of whistleblower Babita Deokaran, an official at the Gauteng Department of Health. Deokaran had uncovered large-scale fraud, corruption and maladministration at the hospital, and flagged suspicious payments totalling around R850 million to more than 200 companies.

The SIU’s findings now indicate the actual amount looted exceeds R2 billion. At least 15 current and former employees have been implicated.

The report found that corrupt officials colluded with service providers and exploited weaknesses in the procurement system. The syndicates used various methods to bypass regulatory triggers and avoid detection.

Meanwhile, Ramaphosa also stressed that economic transformation remains both a moral imperative and a strategic priority for the ANC.

“With coordinated industrial policy, strong institutions and an innovation-driven growth strategy, the nation can reclaim its role as Africa’s industrial leader,” he said.

“Many that we interact with globally continue to see our country as the gateway into the rest of the continent. Our standing and stature are still recognised.”

To strengthen this position, Ramaphosa called for increased collaboration between government, business, and labour.

“This requires social partnerships to raise the level of capital investment in strategic areas for growth, innovation and structural transformation.”

He said the success of such initiatives must be measured by tangible outcomes such as operational factories, infrastructure projects and job creation - both through local and international investment.

“Transformation is not an event. It is a process of building capacity, building confidence, but also enhancing our sovereignty as a country. Through ethical leadership and collective effort, the developmental state will secure prosperity and justice for all.”

Ramaphosa said the NEC had directed government departments at all levels to finalise economic interventions that can rebuild the economy.

“Our task now is to ensure effective and immediate implementation. Through the government of national unity, provincial and local government, and all our structures, we will undertake key interventions to reignite growth and create jobs.”

“Through this work, we will give effect to the mandate we have been given - to transform our economy to meet the needs of all South Africans, leaving no one behind.”

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL Politics