Photographer: Waldo Swiegers / Bloomberg
Photographer: Waldo Swiegers / Bloomberg
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Investigations by South African authorities into the award of questionable contracts worth $ 13.3 billion ($ 889 million) to provide equipment and services needed to fight the coronavirus found that several officials blatantly ignored the rules and procedures. of acquisition.
Investigations into about a quarter of the contracts have been completed and 38 cases have been referred to the National Prosecutor’s Office for criminal proceedings, while disciplinary action has been recommended against 25 officials, said Andy Mothibi, head of the unit. of Special Research of the country. He said about 260 million rand of cash and assets were identified as recoverable from suppliers.
“My observation is that blatant and disproportionate ignorance is based on the insatiable pursuit of self-enrichment,” Mothibi told reporters on Friday. “This cannot go unpunished.”
The unit found that some providers overcharged services and paid them without providing proof of delivery, while some officials allegedly gave contracts to their friends.
Read more: South Africa examines dubious virus contracts worth $ 292 million
South Africa has so far confirmed 1.47 million coronavirus infections, most in Africa. The government issued contacts worth Rs 30.7 billion between April and November to companies to supply personal protective equipment and other equipment and services to respond to the pandemic.
The recruitment scandal is particularly embarrassing for President Cyril Ramaphosa, who pledges to fight the graft that became endemic during the nine-year rule of his predecessor Jacob Zuma. Khusela Diko, a spokeswoman for Ramaphosa, and Bandile Masuku, the head of health in Gauteng Central Province, are among those who allegedly benefited from supply contacts and have been forced to leave their places.
Read more: The South African president’s spokeswoman is facing disciplinary action
“It is discouraging to see state officials in all areas of government, who have been called to serve the people of South Africa, involved in illegal and unlawful activities,” Mothibi said. “The SIU will continue to prosecute all those officials who resigned in the face of investigations or disciplinary action by freezing their pensions and instituting civil litigation to recover the money stolen from the state.”