Minister Nzimande pledges support for clean governance amid SIU vaccine research contracts probe
Minister Blade Nzimande has addressed the SIU's investigation into vaccine research procurement contracts, reaffirming the department's commitment to ethical governance and transparency.
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Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande says the department is committed to clean governance and will support the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) amid its probe into four vaccine research procurement contracts.
In a recent statement the SIU said President Cyril Ramaphosa had signed a new proclamation authorising it to investigate allegations of serious maladministration and improper or unlawful conduct in the affairs of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Technology Innovation Agency, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research related to key vaccine research and manufacturing projects.
Nzimande said the ministry had noted the proclamation which covers the period between 1 January 2021 and 19 December 2025.
“The department is fully aware of the issues referred to in the SIU’s Proclamation. Over the past several months, under the leadership of the Director-General, the department has been involved in an internal process to proactively establish the veracity and where relevant, address the alleged irregularities relating to the specific contractual agreements mentioned in the SIU Proclamation. This process is ongoing.
“As the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation, we remain committed to upholding clean and ethical governance within the department and its entities and therefore pledge to support the SIU in conducting its work. We also wish to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that our country develops sustainable and sovereign vaccine manufacturing capacity,” he said.
The SIU has been mandated to investigate the procurement of, or contracting for, goods, works or services in relation to four specific project funding agreements for vaccine research and development entered into by or on behalf of the institutions.
These include contracts for the development of a National Vaccine Manufacturing Strategy, finalisation of an overarching vaccine development and manufacturing strategy, and projects related to a Virus-Like Particles (VLP) platform.
“The investigation will determine whether these vaccine research contracts and related payments were conducted in a manner that was not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable or cost-effective. The SIU will also examine potential violations of applicable legislation, manuals, guidelines, practice notes, circulars or instructions issued by the National Treasury, as well as the internal policies and procedures of the institutions.
“The scope of the investigation includes any irregular, unlawful, or improper conduct by officials or employees of these institutions, the applicable suppliers or service providers, and any other person or entity involved.”