Photo: Adobe Stock
Photo: Adobe Stock
A little over 18 months after President Cyril Ramaphosa called for an SIU investigation into PPE corruption across South Africa, the results have been delivered. And boy, do they make for an uncomfortable read.
SIU reveals ‘mammoth tolls’ of COVID-19 irregularities
Billions or rand’s worth of dodgy deals have been uncovered by the state, with thousands of contracts between the government and businesses deemed ‘irregular’. Over 200 government officials are implicated, too.
The scale of PPE corruption was always going to be enormous, and in 2020, the public were left outraged when it emerged public funds were chowed by unscrupulous characters – something the report acknowledges in great detail:
“The President has authorised the release to the public of the final report of the investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) into procurement by all spheres of government of goods, works and services associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“President Ramaphosa gave the commitment that if the SIU found evidence that a criminal offence had been committed, it was obliged to refer such evidence to the National Prosecuting Authority. The proclamation also empowered the SIU to institute civil proceedings for the recovery of any damages or losses incurred by the state.”
Presidency statement
PPE corruption: Eight shock statistics
The numbers involved in this investigation are truly staggering. PPE corruption was a multi-billion rand industry during the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, and these facts and figures show just how deep the rot went:
- The SIU investigated 5 467 contracts awarded to 3 066 service providers with a total value of R14.3 billion.
- Investigations have been finalised for 4 549 contracts – and 2 803 contracts were found to be irregular.
- Forty-five matters – worth a combined value of R2.1 billion – have been enrolled with the Special Tribunal on Corruption.
- The SIU has made 224 referrals for disciplinary action against officials in government departments or entities.
- The rand value of actual cash and assets to be recovered on the basis of the investigation is R551.5 million.
- The value of potential loss prevented by the investigation is R114.2 million.
- Meanwhile, the value of contracts set aside tops R170 million.
- Only R34.2 million has been recovered so far, though.
