Graft eroding SA’s trust
PPE tender saga has affected public’s confidence in state’s commitment to fight corruption
THE allocation of personal protective equipment (PPE) tenders to family members of public servants and politicians has negatively affected the public’s confidence and trust in government’s commitment to fight corruption.
This is according to the first quarter report of the Public Service Commission (PSC) released yesterday which focused on governance in the public service sector including service delivery during lockdown.
Commissioner Mike Seloane said in the past few weeks, there had been numerous claims of corruption on the procurement of PPE.
Seloane said since the national state of disaster was declared, government departments had procured PPEs and it was alleged that in some provinces, National Treasury emergency procurement regulations were not properly followed.
“There have been allegations of overpricing, appointment of companies that were formed a few weeks before being awarded tenders and awarding of tenders to family members of public servants and politicians.
“The emergence of these allegations has negatively affected confidence and trust levels of the populace towards the government’s commitment to fighting corruption. These allegations have also called into question the adherence by public service to the prescripts of the law,” Seloane said.
He added that the PSC welcomed the appointment of the Cabinet committee and the initiatives by premiers to investigate the allegations, saying the PSC wished to reiterate the importance of reporting wrongdoing or corrupt activities through the National Anti-Corruption Hotline.
The hotline has played a significant role in ensuring that graft was reported to relevant bodies and that relevant steps were taken.
“Through these initiatives, the PSC hopes that those found to have contravened the Public Finance Management Act will be brought to book and face the full might of the law.
“The PSC will continue promoting the Constitutional Values and Principles (CVPs) throughout the public service with the aim to change the mindset and behaviour of public servants who are involved in corrupt activities and those who are still doing business with the state. Through the normalisation of CVPs amongst public servants, government can be able to realise a developmental state that is ethical and free from corruption as envisaged in the National Development Plan 2030,” said Seloane.
The PSC also commented on the readiness of schools to deal with the pandemic, adding it was clear that some did not meet all the prerequisites for reopening as indicated by Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga. “Furthermore, there was variance among provinces considering factors such as vandalism in 1 672 schools; deliveries of essentials to schools; induction and orientation of educators and support staff; provision of water and sanitation; and faulty thermometers.
“During its service delivery inspections conducted in June at selected schools, the PSC found that information about Covid-19 was well disseminated at school level and there was a high level of awareness about the pandemic.
“In few instances where learners were not wearing masks, the schools were able to provide such. However, the PSC noted with serious concern that generally the supply of PPE was not sufficient which required urgent attention. Equally some of the equipment such as thermometers were dysfunctional as they provided wrong readings,” Seloane said.
He, however, said the schools did observe social distancing by ensuring that an average of 20 pupils were accommodated per class.
Meanwhile, the ANC in Gauteng denied reports that its provincial integrity committee has made adverse findings against Gauteng Health MEC Bandile Masuku after he was accused of influencing the awarding of PPE tenders in the province.
Masuku was placed on special leave on July 30 following an explosive report which stated that officials in the Health Department issued massive tenders to family friends and companies which were formed while the country was under lockdown level 5.
One of the companies linked to the scandal allegedly belonged to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Khusela Diko and her husband Thandisizwe.
They were allegedly awarded a R125 million tender to provide PPE to the provincial health department.
It also emerged that Diko and Masuku’s wife, Loyiso, were business partners when the tenders were issued. The families are believed to have close ties.
According to reports at the weekend, the ANC’s integrity committee had made negative findings against the officials, but spokesperson Bones Modise yesterday dismissed the reports.