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Vice President David Mabuza blamed government systems and controls and also cited the human factor for failing to detect rampant corruption related to COVID-19 social relief and the procurement of protective equipment and supplies.
FILE: Vice President David Mabuza answering oral questions at the National Assembly in Cape Town on October 17, 2019. Image: @ DDMabuza / Twitter
CAPE TOWN – Vice President David Mabuza admitted that the government was surprised by not detecting rampant corruption related to social relief from COVID-19 and the acquisition of protective equipment and supplies.
Mabuza was answering questions from deputies during a hybrid session of the National Assembly.
This week, the Special Investigation Unit told Parliament that it was investigating contracts worth R10 billion, which was 67% or a third of the total R15.6 billion that the government had spent so far on fighting the pandemic and its consequences.
The leader of the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), the Rev. Kenneth Meshoe, asked Vice President David Mabuza why the government could not see the corruption that was unfolding right under the noses of the people.
“I have to agree that as a government, I’m sure we were caught napping.”
Mabuza blamed government systems and controls, especially when it came to acquisitions.
“Some of our systems, our procurement systems, leave a lot to be desired. that’s why the president has asked all of us to try to revamp our procurement system. As we speak, we are dealing with our
procurement system: it’s time to close all the loopholes that exist. “
Mabuza also cited the human factor.
“Humans can always circumvent these systems because they are responsible for creating the same systems, but in this case, we need to have checks and balances that help us detect corruption as early as possible.”
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