Special Investigating Unit (SIU) head Willie Hofmeyr is the latest crime fighter being probed, the Star reported on Monday.
The investigation was over procurement issues relating to the SIU, after its former chief financial officer, Veronica Marshsmit, was suspended and later resigned.
Hofmeyr on Sunday confirmed that he was under investigation, the report said.
Asked why he was being probed, Hofmeyr said: “It is to be expected that there will be efforts to discredit those dealing with serious corruption, and this has happened in the past. One just has to be tough enough to deal with it when it happens.
“At the same time we are all equal before the law and I cannot expect to be given special treatment. But I expect to be treated fairly.”
An SIU spokesperson told the paper that the unit had ben alerted to rumours that a criminal complaint had been laid against Hofmeyr regarding a contract for the refurbishment of its office building.
The National Prosecuting Authority declined to comment on Sunday night, the report said.
The SIU is involved in several investigations, among them a probe into police procurement procedures.
In March Hofmeyr told members of Parliament the SIU was probing 16 departments and public entities for fraud, graft and maladministration.
News of the investigation comes after claims that Public Protector Thuli Madonsela was facing a criminal probe.
Madonsela was due to address a media conference on July 6 to deliver an update on several investigations, including the key probe into the police headquarters leasing scandal.
Her report on the Pretoria lease and her leaked draft report on the Durban lease — both involving property mogul Roux Shabangu and inflated rates — came down hard on police National Commissioner Bheki Cele.
Madonsela swept aside the police boss’s protestations that he was not in direct control of the procurement process and laid ultimate responsibility at his door.
Then Independent Newspapers published a claim that the police were poised to arrest Madonsela on fraud and corruption charges. – Sapa and Staff reporter