Report into corruption linked to the pandemic on Tuesday showed that South African investigators have flagged COVID-19 contracts worth 2.1 billion rand ($137.12 million) for possible corruption and fraud.
President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the investigation into his government’s coronavirus spending in 2020 following a spate of scandals that caused public outrage.
Anger over corruption was one reason the governing African National Congress in 2021 recorded its worst-ever election result, with its share of the vote dropping below 50 per cent in municipal polls.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which led the investigation, had said previously that it uncovered instances where personal protective equipment was overpriced, procurement rules flouted and services not delivered despite money being paid.
In a statement accompanying the SIU’s final report, Ramaphosa’s office said, “It is unacceptable that so many contracts associated with saving lives and protecting livelihoods were irregular, unlawful or fraudulent.”
The 2.1 billion rand of contracts under suspicion have been enrolled in the Special Tribunal, which is mandated to recover public funds lost through corruption, fraud and illicit money flows, the more than 700-page report said.
The SIU referred 224 officials in government departments or entities for disciplinary action after finding that 2,803 contracts were irregular.
It identified some of those facing accusations and estimated that the value of cash and assets to be recovered was around 552 million rand.
South Africa has reported more COVID-19 cases and deaths than any other African country after being hit by four infection waves.
($1 = 15.3149 rand) (Reuters/NAN)
