Trade, Industry and Competition spokesperson and Member of Parliament Toby Chance has implored Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau to release the investigative report compiled by independent investigator TSU International on matters of alleged mismanagement and corruption issues at the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) as a matter of urgency.

In a letter to Tau on August 28, Chance reminded Tau that the investigation, which was commissioned in February, had an initial report-back deadline of June 30, which was later extended to July 31. Yet, to date, no feedback has been given on whether the investigation has been completed nor when its findings will be released.

“I can see no possible reason why the report from TSU still remains under wraps, when the issues it is investigating are of significant public interest. It is now time you make good on your commitment to the Portfolio Committee, and South Africa, to get to the bottom of the allegations of corruption and maladministration at this vital institution,” Chance said in his letter.

Engineering News reached out to Tau for comment but did not receive clarity on the report or its findings.

“The matter is receiving [Tau]’s attention. There is a process, which is under way, and in order to maintain the integrity of the process, it is essential that [he] applies his mind to the facts before him, as per his responsibilities as the executive authority overseeing the SABS,” Tau’s office told Engineering News, asserting that the Minister remained committed to stabilising the entity and ensuring it was able to effectively perform its functions moving forward.

However, Chance’s urging comes on the back of yet another whistleblower report received from an anonymous employee at the SABS, which he described as a “disturbing” repetition of earlier allegations.

The letter raised fresh concerns about financial mismanagement at the SABS, alleging that, despite leadership changes, fruitless and wasteful expenditure has continued.

According to the letter, suspended executives are “still calling the shots through their cabal”, while current managers approve questionable projects without oversight. Large sums have reportedly been spent on outreach events and the procurement of primus stoves, yet no products were delivered to communities.

In one case, a community in Gauteng allegedly turned away an SABS delegation in anger over undelivered goods.

The whistleblower letter further alleged that senior managers routinely sign off on projects without requesting delivery notes, inspection reports or post-event evaluations. Instead of halting problematic contracts, additional orders were placed with the same suppliers, again without delivery, the letter alleges.

The letter also accused management of mismanaging funds on branding and celebratory events, despite deteriorating infrastructure.

“There is zero oversight, because there is zero competence,” the whistleblower wrote, adding that even the language used on expensive new signage was incorrect.

Additional allegations included questionable corporate social investment spending, poor charity vetting and a culture of intimidation that discourages staff from raising concerns.

The letter said that internal audit processes were “totally defunct”, with whistleblowing channels compromised and union leaders sidelined.

The whistleblower called for “an immediate review and an independent audit of the events at SABS”, warning that wasteful and fruitless expenditure would continue unchecked without intervention.