SIU
1Min
South Africa
Dec 23, 2025
Minister Blade Nzimande has acknowledged SIU Proclamation 304 of 2025, which empowers the Special Investigating Unit to probe alleged irregularities in the DSTI’s Vaccine Innovation and Manufacturing Strategy. He confirmed that the Department is cooperating fully with the investigation and reaffirmed its commitment to ethical governance.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, has acknowledged Proclamation 304 of 2025 issued by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which was published along with a related media statement on 19 December 2025.
The proclamation empowers the SIU to investigate alleged irregularities in the development of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation’s (DSTI) Vaccine Innovation and Manufacturing Strategy (VIMS).
The scope of the investigation includes the DSTI’s entities, such as the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Minister Nzimande said the Department is fully aware of the issues referred to in the proclamation.
According to the Minister, the DSTI has been conducting an internal review over the past several months under the leadership of the Director-General. This process aims to proactively verify the allegations and address any irregularities relating to specific contractual agreements mentioned in the SIU proclamation. The review is ongoing.
Nzimande emphasised the Department’s commitment to clean and ethical governance within DSTI and its entities. “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,” the Minister said.
Nzimande also reaffirmed the government’s dedication to building sustainable and sovereign vaccine manufacturing capacity in South Africa. The Department has indicated that it will cooperate fully with the SIU to ensure that any findings are addressed appropriately.
The department said this reflects DSTI’s ongoing efforts to strengthen governance and transparency while supporting the country’s vaccine development initiatives.
The SIU’s investigation follows growing public and parliamentary interest in the management of vaccine innovation and manufacturing contracts, highlighting the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure accountability and efficiency in the sector.
The Department said it will continue to update the public as the investigation progresses.
