Minister Angie Motshekga, in a written reply to the EFF, says a total of R38 750 000 has been spent on PPEs for teachers and learners across the country. She says this includes the provision of PPEs to various provinces since the reopening of schools. 

Motshekga has confirmed Spot on Trading, Nxekula General Trading, and Impofu Engineering Service as companies that supplied the department with PPEs. Her confirmation comes amidst growing concerns over Covid-19 corruption and how senior politicians, including herself and those close to them, have been benefiting from PPE tenders.

OFM News recently reported on tenders awarded by the Free State government to former Premier Ace Magashule's sons.

The provincial treasury has awarded contracts with a combined value of R2.7 million to Motheko Projects and Marvel Deeds, owned by Tshepiso Magashule and his younger brother Thato Magashule. It's alleged Magashule's sons benefited from the tender awarded by the provincial treasury to provide PPEs amidst the pandemic as a result of their father's close relationship with the MEC for Finance.

Whilst the Free State Treasury Department has since defended the awarding of tenders to Magashule's sons, stating that the companies tendered just like any other company in the province and met the criteria, the news has been received with mixed reaction by social media users and opposition parties calling for investigations.

The Basic Education Department has meanwhile refuted allegations that Motshekga’s husband owns a factory that produces sanitisers for schools.

The department has also confirmed that provision of PPEs to schools will be increased as more grades are expected to be phased in next week.

OFM News