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The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) is conducting hundreds of investigations into the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). AFP Image
JOHANNESBURG / CAPE TOWN – The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) said more than 700 companies were being investigated for irregularities in tenders related to personal protective equipment (PPE) contracts for the R500 thousand COVID-19 aid plan millions.
These contracts amount to more than R7.5 billion.
In Gauteng, the SIU is investigating more than 160 companies.
Those implicated include the husband of presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko and Gauteng Health MEC, Bandile Masuku.
Kaizer Kganyago, SIU spokesperson: “We have received a lot of accusations. We are not saying that all of this was done illegally, but this is the veil that we are looking at at the present time and it shows signs that things really are not the same. supposed to be “.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised that all money stolen from this fund will be recovered.
MUNICIPAL COOPERATION
Kganyago said that for the most part, municipalities being investigated for corruption related to the country’s response to COVID-19 were cooperating, except for two municipalities in the Western Cape.
“We also had resistance from the Matzikama municipality where we also did a search and seizure and due to that investigation we were following up on some of the suppliers – there were three suppliers – who were part of the investigation in Matzikama,” Kganyago explained.
SIU officials recently raided Cederberg’s municipal offices in Clanwilliam.
“When we were doing research there [Matzikama]Then we followed them and he took us to Cederberg because the same suppliers were doing the same business in Cederberg. We went there wanting to get information last week, but there was some resistance and then we got the search warrant and seizure. “
Cederberg Mayor Sylvia Qunta said the municipality had nothing to hide and would help the unit wherever it could.
However, he is threatening to go to court, saying last week’s raid was carried out without a warrant.
But Kganyago said they had a right to be there.
“I don’t know what you are talking about. You are saying that we arrived without confirmation. We are saying which world you live in because the proclamation allows us to do all the research related to the issues of PPE and COVID-19 on July 23 and it was allowed by the president at the time. “
LISTEN: SIU’s Kaizer Kganyago gives an update on PPE’s bidding investigation
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