Photographer: Waldo Swiegers / Bloomberg
Photographer: Waldo Swiegers / Bloomberg
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Investigations by South African authorities into awarding questionable contracts worth $ 13.3 billion ($ 889 million) for the provision of equipment and services to fight coronavirus have found that a number of officials have blatantly ignored procurement rules and procedures. .
Surveys were completed in about a quarter of the contracts and 38 cases were sent to the National Prosecutor’s Office for criminal prosecution, while disciplinary action was recommended against 25 officials, said Andy Mothibi, head of the Special Investigation Unit of the of the country. He said about 260 million rows of cash and assets had been identified as recoverable from suppliers.
“My observation is that blatant and unimportant disregard is supported by the reckless pursuit of self-enrichment,” Mothibi told reporters on Friday. “That can’t go unpunished.”
The unit found that some providers charged additional fees for services and were paid without providing proof of delivery, while some officials allegedly gave contracts to their friends.
Read more: South Africa investigates $ 292 million dubious virus contracts
The South African has so far confirmed 1.47 million coronavirus infections, most in Africa. The government issued 30.7 billion line contacts between April and November to companies to provide personal protective equipment and other equipment and services to enable them to respond to the pandemic.
The procurement scandal is particularly embarrassing for President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has pledged to reduce the graft that became endemic during the nine-year rule of his predecessor Jacob Zuma. Ramushosa spokesman Khusela Diko and health chief Bandile Masuku in central Gauteng are among those who reportedly benefited from supply contacts and were forced to vacate their posts.
Read more: South African president’s spokesman faces disciplinary process
“It is discouraging to see state officials from all spheres of government who have been called to serve the people of South Africa being involved in illegal and unlawful activities,” Mothibi said. “SIU will continue to prosecute all those officials who resigned in the face of investigations or disciplinary action by freezing pensions and instituting civil litigation to recover money stolen from the state.”