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By Mayibongwe Maqhina 
2h ago
Cape Town – The official opposition said on Friday it would ask the ethics committee to investigate Finance Minister Tito Mboweni for allegedly misleading Parliament about paying the country to subscribe to the global Covax program.
This comes after reports emerged that South Africa missed the December 15 payment deadline for the Covid-19 vaccine.
“It is inconceivable that our government could spoil the acquisition of a life-saving vaccine that is safe and available when thousands are at risk of dying from this pandemic,” said DA leader John Steenhuisen.
Steenhuisen said securing the vaccine for South Africa as soon as possible should be the government’s number one priority right now.
“It is unacceptable that the government’s delay jeopardizes our access to the vaccine.”
He also said that questions had been asked in Parliament of President Cyril Ramaphosa and Mboweni, but the details had been vague and that they were told that the government was taking up the matter.
Steenhuisen also said that Mboweni has apparently misled Parliament on this issue.
“When asked if the government missed the first payment deadline, Minister Mboweni brusquely responded to the opposition parties claiming that we had misinterpreted our data. Two days after the second deadline was missed, it would appear that our facts are spot on.
“The fact that both payment deadlines for the vaccine deposit have been missed would throw cold water on claims that South Africa is close to acquiring this vaccine.”
Steenhuissen also said that given the confusion and uncertainty surrounding the vaccine, the public needed a clear and complete explanation from Mboweni around the vaccine.
“Minister Mboweni must be completely transparent about the exact financing arrangements that the government has committed to,” he said.
“In order to guarantee total transparency, the Prosecutor’s Office will present a request to the Minister of Health in terms of the Law for the Promotion of Access to Information to request all relevant information regarding a detailed vaccine plan.”
He described the failure to meet the payment deadline as gross negligence, for which his party filed a complaint with the ethics committee.
Steenhuisen said those responsible for the mistake must be held accountable.
He also claimed that they have no idea what the priority of the vaccine launch would be.
“That is why we need the details of this plan as soon as possible,” Steenhuisen added.
His colleague Geordin Hill-Lewis said that the acquisition of the vaccine was something that could not be spoiled.
“South Africa needs this vaccine. It should be the government’s number one priority,” he said.
Hill-Lewis also said Mboweni should be held accountable.
DA national spokesperson Siviwe Gwarube echoed those sentiments saying South Africa needed a Covid-19 vaccine deployment plan.
“Retention does not inspire confidence in this process,” Gwarube said.
“If we don’t have a plan, how are we going to take on the gigantic task if the government doesn’t talk about the process?” He said, adding that there have been few details about paying for the vaccine.
“We are asking ministers and the president for leadership,” Gwarube said.
Political Bureau
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