AG, NGOs roped in to prevent looting of KZN relief funds

Ramaphosa addressed the nation on Monday evening on government’s response to the catastrophic floods in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of the Eastern Cape.

There is widespread concern that the relief money  will end up in the wrong hands, similiar to the theft of PPE funds during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Ramaphosa warned it would cost the country billions to rebuild the damaged infrastructure.

“It will be critical, as we undertake this work, that all the resources we mobilise are used for their intended purposes and reach the intended recipients.

"There can be no room for corruption, mismanagement or fraud of any sort.

"Learning from the experience of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are drawing together various stakeholders to be part of an oversight structure to ensure all funds disbursed to respond to this disaster are properly accounted for and that the state receives value for money.

"These stakeholders include the Office of the Auditor-General, business, religious sector, labour, community-based organisations as well as professional bodies such as engineers and accountants,” said Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa also said the Solidarity Fund will be roped in to assist with humanitarian relief in partnership with government and the private sector.

“The National Treasury will make an initial amount of funds available as part of our efforts with the Solidarity Fund to implement these support measures."

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