TimesLive reports that defence and military veterans minister Thandi Modise has demanded that all defence force members involved in the illegal procurement of an unregistered Covid-19 drug from Cuba must face the consequences as soon as possible.

Modise was briefing MPs on Wednesday on action taken following the findings of a ministerial task team established by her predecessor. Modise said the matter would be dealt with by the head of the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) Gen Rudzani Maphwanya since the SANDF was responsible for procuring the drug. The task team uncovered several irregularities in the 2020 procurement of three batches of Interferon from Cuba. The amount spent was R33m and would have been as much as R200m but for the actions of SANDF CFO Siphiwe Sokhela, who refused to release the funds for the second and third batches. According to the task team, former surgeon-general Zola Dabula had initiated the procurement of Interferon and convinced the Military Command Council, including former SANDF chief Sello Shoke, of its efficacy in preventing infection. The drug, manufactured by a Cuban-Chinese company, was to have been used as a booster for soldiers. However, there is no scientific proof it is effective in treating Covid-19 and it is not approved or registered for use in SA. Moreover, the procurement process contravened the Public Finance Management Act and regulations governing the procurement of medical supplies from abroad.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard at BusinessLive

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