SIU probing 157 Covid-19 contracts in Gauteng
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has revealed that it is probing 157 contracts for personal protective equipment (PPE), awarded by the Gauteng Health Department.
SIU Manager Leonard Lekgetho said the value of the contracts amounts to R2.2 billion.
Lekgetho was updating the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) into investigations of alleged corrupt PPE procurement procedures on Wednesday afternoon.
After allegations of PPE corruption were exposed in the province, Health MEC Bandile Masuku stepped aside from his duties to allow for investigations to take place.
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They join President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson Khusela Diko's leave of absence over the R125 million personal protective equipment tender awarded to her husband King Madzikane II Diko's Royal Bacha projects. Diko took leave from all her government roles on Monday. The Dikos, who have close ties to the Masuku couple, claim the tenders were later cancelled at their request.
The health department's Chief Financial Officer, Kabelo Lehloenya, resigned before being implicated by the SIU in Covid-19 corruption.
Lekgetho said the number of alleged contracts under investigation continues to increase.
"When we look at Gauteng [health department] we are looking 90 companies used to procure PPE, we are also looking at 30 companies used to procure medical equipment.
"We are also looking at 32 companies for services related to catering, flights, accommodation, counselling sessions of staff, legal costs, car hire, printing, computers and patient care and five companies for infrastructure projects, including the two warehouses, to house PPE and one Covid-19 quarantine site," added Lekgetho.
The SIU is investigating 658 PPE contracts across the country amounting to over R5 billion.
Listen to Lekgetho below: