Special Investigating Unit: everything we know so far

Special Investigating Unit officials are seen during a raid related to a UIF fraud scheme in KwaZulu-Natal on 12 December 2025. Special Investigating Unit has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in South Africa.

Key facts

• Special Investigating Unit officials are seen during a raid related to a UIF fraud scheme in KwaZulu-Natal on 12 December 2025.
• The Special Tribunal has granted the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) an order that allows them to freeze R16 million worth of assets belonging to a man believed to be the mastermind behind a sophisticated Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) fraud scheme.
• Yuba City police and Sutter County deputies plan a new Special Investigations Unit to replace NET-5, pending approval.
• On Tuesday, 28 April 2026, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) revealed that a company directed by Sefara was linked to a lottery-funded project under its investigation.
• The Special Investigating Unit has secured an order from the Special Tribunal that freezes the assets of Nhlakanipho Mngomezulu following the unlawful receipt of Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme funds.

What we know

Going deeper, the Special Tribunal has granted the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) an order that allows them to freeze R16 million worth of assets belonging to a man believed to be the mastermind behind a sophisticated Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) fraud scheme.

On the substance, Yuba City police and Sutter County deputies plan a new Special Investigations Unit to replace NET-5, pending approval.

Beyond the headlines, On Tuesday, 28 April 2026, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) revealed that a company directed by Sefara was linked to a lottery-funded project under its investigation.

More precisely, the Special Investigating Unit has secured an order from the Special Tribunal that freezes the assets of Nhlakanipho Mngomezulu following the unlawful receipt of Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme funds.

It is worth noting that Makgotho said the investigating unit remains committed to holding those who unlawfully benefit from public funds accountable and to ensuring that monies intended for workers during the Covid-19 pandemic are recovered.

By the numbers

At this stage, the SIU says misused Covid-19 relief funds were spent on luxury vehicles and property purchases across KwaZulu-Natal.

On a related note, Makgotho said in November 2025, the SIU approached the Special Tribunal, seeking preservation orders over the identified properties, vehicles, and bank accounts.

Going deeper, Special Tribunal cancels R85m KZN-Mozambique border wall tender [WATCH].

On the substance, About 35 suspects are linked to defrauding the government of R161-million in COVID funds.

What they're saying

“The President of the Special Tribunal, Judge Margaret Victor, granted an interim order prohibiting Mngomezulu from selling, disposing of, transferring, leasing, or otherwise dealing with the identified assets pending the finalisation of the matter,” Makgotho said.

“The SIU is also authorised to initiate civil proceedings in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigation and to recover financial losses suffered by the state, including funds paid for services not rendered.”

“Analysis of bank records confirmed that SA Scrum Assembly received 45 payments from the UIF, with no evidence that employee salaries were paid,” Makgotho said.

The wider context

On a related note, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) is conducting simultaneous raids at properties of individuals and businesses in KwaZulu-Natal.

Going deeper, SUTTER COUNTY, Calif. — The Yuba City Police Department and the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office plan to create a new Special Investigations Unit (SIU), following the planned end of a long-running regional task force.

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Beyond the headlines, the unit said the R1.5-million grant from National Lotteries Commission (NLC) to Todi Media in 2018 was intended for a media project that “included covering journalists’ accommodation, car hire, catering, equipment rental, guest speakers, marketing, security, etc”.

More precisely, Sefara has denied wrongdoing, saying the funds were used for a community media training event held at Birchwood Hotel, Boksburg, in December 2018.

The bottom line

• The Special Tribunal has granted the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) an order that allows them to freeze R16 million worth of assets belonging to a man believed to be the mastermind behind a sophisticated Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) fraud scheme.
• The Special Investigating Unit has secured an order from the Special Tribunal that freezes the assets of Nhlakanipho Mngomezulu following the unlawful receipt of Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme funds.
• The SIU says misused Covid-19 relief funds were spent on luxury vehicles and property purchases across KwaZulu-Natal.