Question NW529 to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development
19 September 2024 - NW529
Nhanha, Mr M to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development
(1) Whether the then Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) was investigated by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) in the period I January 2019 up until it was dismantled in June 2024; if so, what number of investigations have been conducted; (2) whether he will Mr M E Nhanha with copies of the investigation reports conducted by the SIU into the DALRRD in the specified period; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details; (3) what (a) are the relevant details of the individuals and/or entities against which actions were taken following the SIU investigations and (b) were the specified reasons and/or findings from the investigations that led to the actions?
Reply:
1. Yes, the SIU was directed by the President to investigate the affairs of the then Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) through Proclamation R36 of 2019 (focusing on only Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) funding). This investigation was amended and extended by Proclamation 114 of 2023 to incorporate the Ilima/Letsema funding.
2. Notwithstanding the fact that the SIU is an independent statutory body that reports to the President on specific proclaimed matters and annually to Parliament on its general performance, the SIU submits progress reports on investigations monthly to the Department for the purposes of invoicing. The submission of these monthly reports to the Department is governed by the Letter of Engagement (LoE) which the SIU sent to the Department on the commencement of the SIU investigation.
3. From time to time, the SIU provides update to the Department on the investigation progress and preliminary findings are also shared with the Department. However, details of information required by question three (3) will be contained in the Presidential report which can be requested from the Presidency. The investigation is ongoing and the details of the investigation’s preliminary findings cannot be made public at this stage.