School suppliers warned over quality of PPE, sanitisers

SADTU has warned that individuals and companies supplying schools with fake sanitiser and poor quality personal protective equipment (PPE) will face the full might of the law as they allegedly add more danger to the lives of teachers and pupils.

The teachers’ union made the call after obtaining damning information from various provincial and regional structures on Monday about fraudsters allegedly using the Covid-19 pandemic to enrich themselves at the expense of human life.

Now, Sadtu general secretary Mugwena Maluleke has urged its provincial and regional leadership, including ordinary members, to assist it with more information that could result in the prosecution of individuals and companies allegedly involved in the fraud and corruption.

“The union remains concerned by

“On quality, we have received reports of scanners not working properly and sanitisers not being of the same quality as the ones you would buy from the shops,” Cembi said.

Basic Education Ministry spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga confirmed that they were aware of the situation and claims.

“The auditor-general is presently auditing the procurement of Covid-19 essentials for schools,” Mhlanga said.

Last week, the Special Investigative Unit revealed that the process of the proclamation to authorise it to investigate allegations relating to Covid-19 relief fund irregularities and corruption was at an advanced stage with the Department of Justice and Correctional Services.

The public can contact the unit to report any corruption at: email: siu@ whistleblowing.co.za; online: www. whistleblowing.co.za; SMS: 33490 and the toll-free number 080 003 7774.

the allegations of corruption during this lockdown and with the reopening of schools in particular. “Edupreneurs have no shame and continue to steal, even sell fake and poor quality PPE. “We call on our structures to provide us with more information to empower us to lay charges and call THERE are reports that some of the sanitiser provided in schools contains far less alcohol than the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) requirement of 70%. Sadtu has warned that it will seek to take action against these suppliers. for immediate action by law enforcing agencies,” Maluleke said. Sadtu spokesperson Nomusa Cembi corroborated Maluleke’s claims, including reports that some of the sanitisers provided in schools allegedly contained far less than the South African Bureau of Standards’ (SABS) requirement of 70% alcohol.