Ramaphosa appoints 6 ministers to probe Covid-19 graft
President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed an inter-ministerial committee to deal with the allegations of graft in the procurement of protective gear.
The committee will comprise of six cabinet ministers including the Minister of Police, Minister in the Presidency, and Minister of Finance.
Chaired by the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, the committee will look into corruption in the procurement of goods and services sourced for the purpose of containing and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The includes the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE).
The Presidency’s acting spokesperson Tyrone Seale says the matter of Covid-19 looting is being dealt with urgently.
“The president has directed that these lists must be provided to the committee of ministers as a matter of urgency this week. The committee will prepare a comprehensive report which the president intends to release as public information.
“Cabinet’s decision reinforces the determination of the President, expressed in a national address on 23 July 2020, that there should be no theft, no wastage and no mismanagement of public funds as the country fights COVID-19,” Seale adds.
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This comes after reports surfaced that millions of rands in Covid-19 funds are being looted by public officials and their friends and families. The MEC Bandile Masuku and his wife Loyiso are among the officials accused of dodgy dealings. On Wednesday, Mamabolo told Parliament's cooperative governance committee that an audit would be launched soon to establish the department's shortcomings.
Ramaphosa has been under pressure to take action against public official after the claims that some office bearers, their friends and families are implicated in misconduct.
“The president warned that the consequences for those who broke the law – whether they are in the public or private sectors – would be severe.”
Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Maskuku and the president's spokesperson Khusela Diko, along with their spouses, have been placed on leave pending an outcome of an investigation into tender fraud allegations.
Lamola will brief media on Wednesday on the outcomes of the Cabinet meeting where it’s expected he will provide more details.
