This after a proclamation by President Cyril Ramaphosa allows the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) to conduct a wide-range investigation. Ramaphosa’s proclamation was prompted by anger from South Africans about tender irregularities where government officials have allegedly been caught with their hands in the cookie jar.

Earlier in August, Mokgoro confirmed that he ordered an investigation into allegations that one of his MECs used a private vehicle for official trips, and submitted a travel claim exceeding R1 million. Mokgoro adds that he believes that theft and corruption should not be given space to thrive anywhere.

On Monday, Mokgoro released the Covid-19 Procurement Disclosure Report 2020 focusing on R124,224 million's expenditure where 50% of the money went to at least 21 service providers to the North West provincial government and the process scoring millions of rands for the supply and distribution of coronavirus-related materials.

“As part of our continued drive to ensure compliance and strict adherence to the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), while also ensuring accountability, the Provincial Internal Audit is currently performing audits on all Covid-19 related procurement by departments, including but not limited to Personal Protective Equipment (PEE). The audits focus, amongst others, on whether departments assessed and managed the risk with regard to this expenditure and whether the prescribed procurement processes were followed, whether prices paid are market-related and in accordance with price determinations and whether the quality of goods received complied with the prescribed standards,” he adds.

Mokgoro further outlined that where there are transgressions, necessary consequence management action will be taken and cooperation will be provided to appointed law enforcement agencies.  

OFM News previously reported that the provincial Department of Health has spent over 50% of the R124 million Covid-19 budget in the last six months on different service providers. The department has spent R65 922 572 on more than 30 suppliers in the province, which supplied different items including masks, disposable overalls, and temperature scanners, among others.

 OFM News