SIU's Willie Hofmeyr faces criminal complaint

Head of the Special Investigating Unit Willie Hofmeyr has found himself on the other side of the fence.

The National Prosecuting Authority yesterday confirmed receipt in April of a "case docket" on Hofmeyr from the Serious Economic Offences Unit.

Authority spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said the docket "relates to alleged misappropriation of funds at the SIU in general and flouting of supply-chain and procurement procedures in awarding a tender to refurbish" the SIU offices in Silverton, Pretoria.

The probe went ahead despite an independent forensic investigation clearing Hofmeyr and his unit of irregularities.

Hofmeyr's office said the unit first learnt in April of a criminal complaint laid against Hofmeyr.

An "initial contract had been awarded after a formal tender process for refurbishments to the SIU offices. An additional contract was subsequently agreed for work that was not included in the initial tender," the unit said in a statement.

The tender, advertised in 2009, was for "alteration, tenant installation, repair and renovation" of more than 6300m² on six wings and three floors in Meyerspark, Pretoria. The Times established the extra work cost about R3-million.

The SIU said its audit committee commissioned an independent forensic investigation by PricewaterhouseCoopers, which found the "awarding of the second contract for the additional refurbishment work was not irregular".

Based on these findings, the unit decided not to act against "any of its members".

A Hawks officer confirmed to the unit in May that he was investigating a criminal complaint against Hofmeyr.

"During the meeting with the Hawks in May, the SIU informed the police that the audit committee had launched an in-depth investigation into the matter and the report was submitted to the investigating officer," the SIU said.

Mhaga said: "The investigation is still under way by the police and once such investigation is completed the prosecutors will consider the matter further."