Nehawu: Outcomes of AG report on PPE procurement ‘no surprise’
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) says it is not surprised by the outcomes of the auditor-general 's report into the spending of government’s multi-billion rand Covid-19 relief fund.
Auditor-general Kimi Makwethu released his report on Wednesday, saying there were clear indications of fraud and corruption with the procurement of protective gear during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The report revealed that some government departments failed to stick to the prices recommended by the National Treasury and paid up to five times more than they should have for PPEs.
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After the coronavirus reached South African shores in March, Treasury issued guidelines on maximum prices that government departments and companies should pay for PPEs. In April, following a public outcry at allegations of tender irregularities, President Cyril Ramaphosa asked Makwetu and his office to audit the procurement processes.
Nehawu says the findings come as no surprise as the decentralised and fragmented approach to the procurement of PPEs opens the state up to corruption.
The union’s spokesperson Khaya Xaba says the coronavirus pandemic introduced a new breed of tenderpreneurs, who rushed to establish companies to loot state resources meant to protect workers.
"Nehawu has always been at the forefront of highlighting the rampant scourge of corruption in the healthcare sector, way before the outbreak of the coronavirus in the country.
“The national union is losing members because of the corruption in government departments tasked with protecting workers.
"We want to reiterate our call to government to stop feeding us empty slogans and rid itself of corrupt individuals. The president and Treasury must show stern leadership in ending corruption.”
LISTEN TO KHAYA XABA HERE:
Nehawu members will protest against fraud and corruption with pickets throughout the country on Thursday, with the main protest due to the held at the Union Buildings.
"Nehawu is forging ahead with its National Day of Action to highlight the lack of PPEs for frontline workers and workers in general including calling for harsh punishment for Covidpreneurs and government officials who are complicit in the PPE corruption," Xaba says.
