During the COVID-19 pandemic, corruption flourished in South Africa.
But the Special Investigating Unit says it’s now time for those culprits to face the consequences.
The SIU in partnership with the Hawks, the NPA and the Asset Forfeiture Unit are, today, targeting assets worth over 52-million Rand linked to corrupt officials and service providers.
It may have taken close to four years, but for some corrupt officials who stole money intended for Protective Personal Equipment during the pandemic, the chickens have come home to roost.
Law enforcement agencies will be attaching houses, cars and other assets of 22 senior officials, service providers and other entities across the country.
They’re all part of an alleged corruption network within the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works.
It’s alleged PPE tenders were awarded to service providers who never delivered, and that kickbacks were paid to the senior officials who greased their palms.
Special Investigating Unit spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, says these assets are scattered all over the country …
“We are hitting 34 locations across the country. There’s one in the Western Cape, others in Rustenburg the North West and the majority of these are here in Mpumalanga. ”
Last year, the SIU had received close to 200 allegations of PPE procurement fraud.
PICTURES: Courtesy, SIU
