Ra maphosa decries food parcel corruption amid COVID -19 crisis

President Cyril Ramaphosa has condemned reports of corruption in the distribution of food parcels during the lockdown period to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Outlining a R500 billion economic stimulus package to address the impact of the pandemic in the third week of April, he said government was “deeply disturbed” by reports of people abusing the distribution of food or other assistance for “corrupt ends”.

“We will not hesitate to ensure that those involved in such activities face the full might of the law.”

Ramaphosa said the Department of Social Development had partnered with the Solidarity Fund, NGOs and community-based organisations to distribute 250 000 food parcels across the country to address immediate needs.

At the time, allegations had also emerged that councillors in multiple provinces were “looting” food parcels, showing favouritism in the distribution thereof, or preventing parcels from reaching municipal wards controlled by opposition parties.

The SABC recently reported that the matter was being investigated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation based on information provided by Northern Cape social development officials.

Farmer’s Weekly previously reported that there were growing fears about an imminent food crisis, as rioting and looting incidents seemed to surge during the third week of the lockdown.

Dr John Purchase, CEO of Agbiz, said the organisation and other role players had engaged with government prior to the lockdown to ensure that the planned restrictions did not have dire consequences for food security. While certain interventions could be enacted prior to lockdown, others such as the issuing of permits to enable informal traders to sell vegetables, had only taken place following the revision of restrictions.

“We have at least got the fresh produce going, but [not trade in the informal market of] meat products, offal products or live fowl, so there are still a lot of gaps. This raises the distinct possibility of food riots in these areas.”

Purchase said there were also increasing concerns about the safety of vehicles transporting food products, which was illustrated by recent incidents of food trucks being looted.

“Out of all types of riots, a food riot is the worst because it is not easy to negotiate with, or try to appease, a hungry person,” he said. – Sabrina Dean