JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Heads will roll because South African president Jacob Zuma has issued a proclamation authorizing the most extensive special investigating unit (SIU) to investigate local government corruption in the country's history, City Press newspaper reported on Sunday.

The SIU said the investigation was prompted by the South African auditor-general's reports on municipalities.

The move will see the institution probe alleged widespread financial irregularities in all 24 municipalities in North West province. The probe will include the province's four districts and 20 local municipalities. The investigation will include offenses allegedly committed between January 2005 and November 2009.

In the proclamation the president said it is necessary for the allegations to be probed and that justifiable civil disputes emanating from such investigations should be put through adjudication.

"The investigation is in the planning phase and the total amount of money involved will be quantified as it unfolds," SIU spokesperson Narushka Moodley said.

Moodley said the investigation would be conducted in phases and could take between 18 and 24 months, depending on the complexity of matters referred to the SIU.

The SIU was unable to provide an exact number of people to be investigated.

The municipalities are also accused of making appointments and promoting staff in violation of labor laws and policies.

"The SIU will facilitate the recovery of monies lost as a result of maladministration, fraud and/or corruption," Moodley said.

She said disciplinary files would be forwarded to the municipalities to take action against officials who had contravened the law and that the SIU would also recommend systemic changes to avoid any future abuse of systems used by the municipalities.