Tender News Wrap: South Africa's Procurement Landscape This Week (28 September – 2 October 2026)
Related resourceTender Dictionary— look up any procurement term in this article.
Welcome to this week's roundup of South Africa's public procurement developments. This week's edition covers major SIU investigations, significant new tender opportunities closing in early October, and important updates on procurement policy reform.
Here's what you need to know.
⚖️ SIU Expands Investigations into Municipal and Provincial Tenders
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been authorised to probe multiple allegations of maladministration and corruption across several government entities.
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality
President Cyril Ramaphosa signed Proclamation 350 of 2026, directing the SIU to investigate six contracts at the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality and the Buffalo City Metropolitan Development Agency .
The investigation will focus on procurement relating to:
- Mdantsane NU2 Swimming Pool Project
- Appointment of First New Generation Trading (Pty) Ltd for demolition of existing walls
- Appointment of Lefito Trading (trading as Kuyasa Electrical Contractors) for Donkin wall removal and palisade installation
- Consulting engineer services for the Water World Project
- Main contractor for the Water World Project
The probe covers conduct from 1 January 2016 to 18 September 2026 and will examine whether payments were "fair, competitive, transparent, equitable or cost-effective" .
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport
Ramaphosa also signed Proclamation 351 of 2026, significantly widening the SIU's investigation into the KZN Department of Transport .
The expanded probe now includes:
- Upgrade of Main Road P361, District Road D871, and District Road D1290 in Uthukela District
- Provision of subsidised public transport passenger services under Tender ZNB 2278/24T
- Variation orders relating to contracts ZNQ 4197 and ZNQ 4198
- Extension of Contract ZNB 136/17T
The amendment extends the investigation period to 25 September 2026 .
Gauteng Human Settlements Department
The SIU's existing investigation into the Gauteng Provincial Department of Human Settlements has been expanded to include 100 ablution and sanitation infrastructure facilities at Bekkersdal. The original investigation covered 150 ablution facilities at Sicelo Shiceka informal settlement and 180 walk-up units at Sicelo Shiceka Extension 5 .
🚔 Hawks Arrest Three in R16 Million Security Tender Fraud
The Hawks' Serious Corruption Investigation unit arrested three suspects, aged between 37 and 57, in connection with fraud and corruption relating to a security tender valued at approximately R16 million at Blouberg Local Municipality .
The investigation originated in 2024 after complaints about alleged irregularities in the tender award. It is alleged that the successful company did not meet mandatory requirements stipulated in the tender specifications.
Key findings from the investigation:
- Firearm serial numbers submitted as part of the tender documentation were linked to firearms belonging to other security companies
- Certain certificates included in the company's profile were fraudulent
- Certification stamps appearing on documents were also allegedly fraudulent
The suspects appeared before the Senwabarwana Magistrate's Court on Friday, 25 September 2026, facing charges of fraud and corruption .
💰 NPA Secures Bail Ruling in Emfuleni Municipality R16 Million Case
The Vanderbijlpark Magistrates' Court granted bail of R30,000 to Mpho Edward Malema, a service provider and director of Mabula Forestry and Construction, facing charges of corruption, fraud, and theft involving approximately R16 million .
The allegations relate to procurement contracts awarded by Emfuleni Local Municipality between July 2015 and July 2023. The municipality allegedly ordered and paid approximately R16 million to Malema for the procurement of 18 vehicles, including UD trucks and bakkies—but the vehicles were never delivered .
Seven of the vehicles have since been recovered from other entities. The matter was postponed to 29 September 2026 for further investigation and for Malema to join his co-accused, Emfuleni Fleet Manager Lerato Selaelo Mpholo .
📋 Major Tender Opportunities Closing This Week
Several significant tenders are closing in the coming days. Here's what you need to know:
DBSA Non-Revenue Water Panel – Extended to 30 September
The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has extended the closing date for its tender to establish a panel of Non-Revenue Water (NRW) Performance-Based Contract contractors .
New closing date: 30 September 2026 at 23:55 PM
The original closing date was 18 September 2026. This five-year panel opportunity is available via the DBSA website and the National Treasury eTender portal .
Eskom Proactive Assurance Services – Briefing 30 September
Eskom has issued a tender for Independent Proactive Assurance Services relating to Private Sector Participation processes for the Richards Bay Gas-to-Power Project and Eskom Green's Renewable Energy Pipeline .
Key details:
- Briefing session: 30 September 2026 at 10:00 (non-compulsory, via Microsoft Teams)
- Closing date: 13 October 2026 at 10:00
- Scope: Validation of RFQ/RFP documentation, oversight of bidder evaluation, governance submissions, negotiation processes, and award recommendations
SANParks Bontebok National Park – Closing 28 September
The South African National Parks (SANParks) has issued a tender for the supply and delivery of canvas tents and camping mattresses to Bontebok National Park .
Key details:
- Closing date: 28 September 2026 at 16:00
- Scope: 4 canvas tents (4.8m x 3.6m x 2.2m) and 30 camping mattresses
- Submission: Via dedicated email only—no hand delivery
Professional Services Opportunities – Closing Early October
Three professional services tenders are closing in early October :
| Tender | Organisation | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| Western Cape Sustainable Transport Programme (3-year term) | Western Cape Department of Mobility | 9 October 2026 |
| DPSA Employee Health & Wellness Partner | Department of Public Service and Administration | 2 October 2026 |
| Drakenstein Digital Media Services (4-year contract) | Drakenstein Municipality | 1 October 2026 |
Department of Public Works – Vegetation Clearing
The Department of Public Works has issued a tender for clearing overgrown vegetation at three state-owned properties in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal .
Key details:
- Closing date: 28 September 2026 at 11:00
- Evaluation: 80/20 preference point system
- Mandatory requirement: Certified authorization from the Department of Agriculture and Forestry as a Pest Control provider for Industrial Vegetation and Noxious Weeds
🚆 Transnet Issues RFQ for R44 Billion Manganese Corridor
Transnet has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for a private partner to expand and operate the Ngqura manganese export corridor, a project that could cost up to R44 billion .
The corridor runs from manganese mines in the Northern Cape province to ports in the Eastern Cape. This is part of Transnet's broader strategy to bring private sector participation into its freight rail and port operations.
This follows Transnet's recent RFP for a rolling stock Leasing Company (LeaseCo) issued in June 2026.
📜 Procurement Policy Reform: Comment Period Closed, Legal Challenges Loom
The public comment period for the draft General Public Procurement Regulations, 2026 closed on 15 July 2026 .
The draft regulations, published on 16 April 2026, propose a fundamental shift in how tenders are evaluated. Under Regulation 25, procuring institutions must assign weight across four criteria :
- Capability and capacity to deliver
- Functionality and technical requirements
- Preference (B-BBEE and other goals)
- Price
Each of the first three criteria is subject to a mandatory minimum threshold of 70%—bidders who fail any one are excluded before price is considered .
Other key provisions:
- Contracts below R20 million must be reserved exclusively for identified categories including black people, black women, women, persons with disabilities, military veterans, youth, and small enterprises
- Contracts of R100 million and above require at least 25% subcontracting to enterprises 100% owned by South African citizens
- A direct payment mechanism protects subcontractors if suppliers default on payment
Legal challenge: The Western Cape Government, joined by the City of Cape Town and amaBhungane, has launched a constitutional challenge to the Act. The outcome could determine whether these reforms proceed as planned .
💡 What This Means for Your Business
1. Enforcement Is Intensifying
The Hawks, SIU, and NPA are actively pursuing tender fraud cases across multiple provinces. Compliance is non-negotiable—even minor irregularities can trigger investigations.
2. Major Infrastructure Opportunities Are Emerging
Transnet's R44 billion manganese corridor RFQ demonstrates that large-scale private sector participation opportunities are opening up. Position your business for these long-term contracts.
3. Professional Services Demand Is Strong
Government departments continue to procure specialist services—from sustainable transport advisory to employee wellness and digital media. If you offer professional services, now is the time to bid.
4. The Rules Are Changing
The draft regulations represent the most significant procurement reform in decades. Whether you're an EME or a large enterprise, understand how the new threshold-based evaluation model could affect your competitiveness.
📅 What to Watch Next Week
- 29 September 2026: Emfuleni Municipality case postponed for further investigation
- 1-9 October 2026: Multiple professional services tenders closing
- 13 October 2026: Eskom Proactive Assurance Services tender closes
- Ongoing: Constitutional challenge to the Public Procurement Act
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