SIU probes South Africa govt officials over Ksh.31B COVID scandal

South African authorities are investigating government departments for graft over COVID scandal linked to tenders worth 5 billion rand (Ksh.31billion).

The head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) which investigates allegations against public sector figures or institutions made the revelation to lawmakers on Wednesday.

In a presentation to a parliamentary committee, head of the SIU Andy Mothibi said they are working on 658 cases nationwide.

This is the first time a number has been put on the alleged graft.

The figure is likely to add to pressure on President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ruling African National Congress.

The President has struggled to deflect criticism from alliance partners and opposition parties as allegations of corruption implicated senior ANC politicians.

Ramaphosa replaced his scandal-prone predecessor Jacob Zuma in 2017 with promises to eradicate corruption.

However, he has battled to root out criminality linked to the fight against COVID-19 in South Africa.

The country has the world’s fifth highest number of coronavirus infections at 592,144.

The provincial health department of the central Gauteng province alone accounted for just under half of the total in the COVID scandal.

“The allegations reported to the SIU involved the procurement of PPEs (personal protective equipment), hospital and quarantine sites, catering services (food parcels), ventilators, disinfecting equipment and motorised wheelchairs,” Mobithi said.