Just News |
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] welcomed the release of the Special Investigative Unit [SIU] Investigation Report into COVID-19-related procurement by State Institutions.
The publication of the report follows the proclamation on the 23rd July 2020 by President Cyril Ramaphosa for the Special Investigating Unit to probe any allegations of impropriety and misuse of COVID-19 funds.
The SIU report has laid bare the extent to which the COVID-19 funds were misused through acts of corruption, fraud, maladministration and mismanagement of public funds. The report also details how procurement processes were totally disregarded in awarding irregular contracts amounting to over R7 Billion to various service providers.
NEHAWU Secretary Zola Saphetha said as a Union, they find it despicable that billions of rands were squandered in such a manner as detailed by the SIU report. “These monies could have been correctly directed towards ensuring that healthcare workers were provided with the necessary resources in their fight against COVID-19.”
NEHAWU is calling on the government and relevant law enforcement authorities to implement the referrals of the SIU Report which include amongst others, criminal prosecution, litigation, recouping money, setting aside contracts and instituting disciplinary action against officials.
