Govt should do more than condemn Covid-19 corruption, says SACC
The South African Council of Churches (SACC) says President Cyril Ramaphosa should do more than just “condemn and promise action” when it comes to Covid-19 related corruption.
The council's remarks come after Presidency spokesperson Khusela Diko and Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku and their partners were implicated in a dodgy tender of R125 million for the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) in Gauteng.
SACC spokesperson Moagi Sibanda says government’s words should be backed up by action.
“We need to see arrests and convictions of these criminals who have shown that they will not be deterred by a devastating global pandemic, or people going hungry and even dying.
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“Our justice system must ready itself to arrest and prosecute those who believe this is the best time to steal and exploit the people.”
The SACC has also called on Justice Minister Ronald Lamola to set up special courts to deal with serious coronavirus crimes.
It also plans on having urgent discussions with the government relating to Covid-19 corruption.
“It is shocking that taxpayers' money which was dedicated for life saving measures related to tackling the Covid-19 pandemic that is crippling the whole country, was shamelessly taken advantage of by greedy individuals who like vultures and hyenas over dead bodies, saw the pandemic as an opportunity for a feeding frenzy, with no concern for the poor people," says Sibanda.
“These so-called ‘COVIDpreneurs’ have shown that the evil culture of greed and corruption triumphs over honesty, ethics and good governance in our government, and this needs to be uprooted."