A correctional services official received a house, cars, an overseas trip for his daughter and Blue Bulls season tickets in exchange for awarding tenders, Parliamentarians heard on Tuesday.

"Some of the statements you made or findings are horrific," committee chairman Vincent Smith said after the briefing by Special Investigations Unit head Willie Hofmeyr on corruption in the department.

"That is one of the most shocking presentations I have listened to in 15 years in Parliament," DA MP James Selfe said.

Hofmeyr said the chief financial officer (CFO), who is still to appear in court and cannot be named, was "instrumental" in awarding four tenders worth hundreds of millions of rands to a single service provider and its affiliates between 2004 and 2006.

"The CFO of [the department] at the time played an integral role in the procurement process and he was irregularly instrumental in developing tender specifications to the exclusion of end user departments," Hofmeyr said.

He said the SIU had conducted a financial investigation of the benefits the CFO and his immediate family received from the service provider.

"We have not been able to establish any lawful cause for these payments which amount to at least R2.1-million.

"It consisted of a car for the CFO. Another car or contribution to a car for the CFO. A car for his son and daughter. A sponsorship of the daughter's trip overseas. Another contribution to a car for the CFO. Six Blue Bulls season tickets ? we haven't put a value on that.

"The company financed the development of a house for the CFO to the tune of more than R1-million rand, as well as renovating a kitchen for about R180 000."

Hofmeyr said the company had also contributed R80 000 to a retirement home for the CFO and deposited three amounts of R48 000 into his credit card.

"We are satisfied these amounts came from the company."