This is more than R20 million per month for the procurement of Covid-19 material - which includes Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Bronwyn Thomas-Abrahams, who is the spokesperson for Premier Zamani Saul, says R171, 591,871 was spent on PPE, social relief, disinfection of public buildings and infrastructure works and repairs.

The release of the spending comes amidst a public outcry of massive alleged fraud and corruption with Covid-19 procurement across the country. Thomas-Abrahams says making the list accessible to the public is in the interest of transparency, openness and also to give an account on the provincial government's efforts in containing the spread of the pandemic.

The provincial government is expected to further give an update with additional expenditure incurred with this list set to form part of the external audit processes of the Auditor-General (AG). Thomas-Abrahams adds that this move is to support the initiative by President Cyril Ramaphosa to publish all Covid-19 related expenditure for public scrutiny. "Saul he has always been very vocal and is on record regarding the responsible spending of public funds," she further adds.

Ramaphosa on 5 August 2020 directed departments to submit full information on Covid-19 tenders to the ministerial team convened by Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola.

On Wednesday, in a statement, Ramaphosa described as historic the online publication of a list of all Covid-19 related government expenditure. The lists include Covid-19 procurement information from all provinces, national departments and over 70 public entities.

"The Provincial Government led by Premier Saul and supported by the Provincial Command Council and the Civil Society will continue with all protocols and best practices at our disposal to ensure that our people are best protected against the Coronavirus.

“The Premier has expressed his satisfaction and optimism in all the efforts by especially our frontline health services workers in containing the spread and devastating consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic," Thomas-Abrahams continues.

OFM News