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BL Premium reports that by end-April the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) had been investigating allegations related to the irregular procurement of Covid-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) with a contract value of R40.2bn.
This figure was indicated in the six-weekly report that the government’s corruption-busting unit submitted to President Cyril Ramaphosa on 30 April. Ramaphosa ordered an investigation into allegations of PPE corruption following widespread public anger after news reports alleged that politically connected individuals had lined their pockets with the state’s money during the Covid-19 pandemic. On Tuesday, SIU head Andy Mothibi told MPs that the cases the SIU had finalised or those that were under investigation represented 94% of the total number of cases presented to it, with 6% still to be commenced. New allegations were also coming forward. “We have made significant progress and impact,” Mothibi stated. SIU chief legal counsel Jerome Wells said that 69 cases with a contract value of just over R7bn had been adjudicated by end-April by the special tribunal, which was set up to fast-track the adjudication of corruption cases. Following the judgments in favour of the SIU, contracts for PPE were cancelled. Wells said there were 15 PPE cases with a value of R365m pending before the tribunal, which had handed down 13 preservation orders over a period of eight to 12 months and also two forfeiture orders totalling in excess of R44m. Bank accounts of officials where money was paid by service providers have been frozen.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Linda Ensor at BusinessLive (paywall access only)
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page