Johannesburg – President Cyril Ramaphosa has released the Special Investigative Unit’s (SIU) report into Covid-19 related procurement by all spheres of government on Tuesday.
This follows an 18-month investigation by an independent statutory body that is accountable to parliament and the President.
The unit discovered billions of rands that were spent irregularly after the state entered agreements with several contractors, to aid cash-strapped government departments.
According to Corruption Watch’s famous report, the state had to launch a probe into the excessive billions that were spent following Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) tenders.
Out of 4 549 contracts that have been completed, 2 803 of these contracts were found to be irregular, according to Ramaphosa.
He said at least 5 467 government contracts awarded to 3066 service providers with a total value of R14.3 billion were conducted, while others are still being investigated by the SIU.
He lambasted irregular expenditure by all spheres of government, from local, provincial, and national.
“It is unacceptable that so many contracts associated with saving lives and protecting livelihoods were irregular, unlawful, or fraudulent,” said Ramaphosa.
The President said the report demonstrates the government’s intervention to root out corruption and to deal with perpetrators.
He called the report an essential phase in bringing corrupt individuals to account.
“The submission of the final report is an important step in our fight against corruption in the public and private sectors, and against maladministration.
”The final report details matters referred by the SIU to the National Prosecuting Authority, departments and entities in the public sector, and other parties, who will finalise the process of bringing wrongdoers to book and addressing weaknesses identified by the SIU investigation,” he said.
Prior to the commencement of the investigation, the SIU, worked hand in hand with other agencies to run concrete investigations.
It noted that 45 matters – constituting a combined value of R2.1 billion – have been enrolled with the Special Tribunal on Corruption, Fraud, and Illicit Money Flows.
The SIU has made 224 referrals for disciplinary action against officials in government departments or entities, 386 referrals to the NPA, as well as three referrals for Executive Action.
The SIU has further made 330 referrals for Administrative Action, which includes blacklisting.
Some of these contracts remain under investigation by the unit and a supplementary report will be handed over to the President by June this year.
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