Covid graft ‘not what SA stands for’

The “brazen” Covid-19 corruption goes against everything South Africa stands for as a nation, parliamentary Speaker Thandi Modise and National Council of Province chair Amos Masondo said.

Modise and Masondo spoke out in a joint statement to mark Heritage Day.

They said 24 September was declared a public holiday in recognition and celebration of SA’s cultural wealth and diversity as a nation.

“It is about celebrating SA’s rich tapestry of people [who apartheid sought to divide and rule on the basis of race], with their varying languages and cultures, human solidarity, human dignity, unity and respect, among other things.

“It is about observing what unites us, what makes us stronger to withstand testing times, as we build a truly nonracial, nonsexist, united and prosperous nation,” their statement said.

Modise and Masondo said through unity of purpose, partnerships and synergies, the country had prevailed against Covid-19.

“As the battle continues, we pay tribute to all front-line workers at the heart of our fight against the pandemic, for their courage, their noble selflessness.”

Rebuilding the economy after Covid-19 would require all South Africans to tap into what they should regard as their common heritage – the spirit of ubuntu – by ensuring a united front to tackle socioeconomic hardships.

“Unfortunately, as the nation is battling this unprecedented challenge, some individuals and companies have sought to unscrupulously benefit from this devastating crisis by embezzling funds intended to save lives, particularly of the poor,” they said. “Such brazen disregard for the sanctity of life and the greediness goes against everything we should stand for as a nation, particularly during a crisis of this magnitude.

“We strongly condemn such rampant acts of corruption and urge the criminal justice system to leave no stone unturned in bringing justice, particularly to the poorest of the poor.”

Modise and Masondo called on South Africans to mark Heritage Day by recommitting to root out the ills in society.

“These include the violence which continues to cast a pall of fear on the people of our beautiful land – our women and children in particular.”

They said they were heartened by law enforcement agencies’ commitment to act against perpetrators and trusted that this would happen with speed.