South Africa’s anti-corruption watchdog on Monday said it was investigating irregularities in tenders allotted by the government during the coronavirus crisis, reported Reuters.
The probe follows separate inquiries launched by investigators into the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) in Gauteng province.
South Africa has already reported over half a million COVID-19 cases, the most on the African continent, with the number of infections continuing to rise rapidly. The number cases in Africa as a whole has approached a million.
In recent weeks, there have been local reports alleging that individuals with political connections have benefited from government contracts for goods and services mobilized to contain the spread of COVID-19.
In a statement the Public Protector said it was investigating a quarantine camp tender in Mpumalanga province, PPE kits being provided in the KwaZulu-Natal province at inflated prices, and a claim that a lodge being used as a quarantine site in Eastern Cape Province was owned by a government official, among other investigations.
The watch dog is also investigating complaints that people were denied COVID-19 grants on unreasonable grounds.
On Monday, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a weekly newsletter that families of politicians and civil servants as well as people having close connection with them are being getting state contracts contributed to perceptions of nepotism and abuse.
He assured that his government would not allow public funds to be used to encourage corruption in the country.
“We will not allow public funds hard-earned by loyal taxpayers or donations by patriotic companies and individuals and the international community to vanish down the black hole of corruption,” The president said.
South Africa had imposed a nationwide lockdown in March to curb the spread of the virus, but it has now eased many restrictions to boost economic activity. As restrictions have eased, infections have spiked over the last two months.
