Covid-19 thieves will be severely punished says Mthembu

Minister in the Presidency, Jackson Mthembu made it known that those involved in corruption related to PPE will be severely punished.

The minister briefed the media on Thursday on the outcomes of the cabinet meeting held earlier this week.

He added that the funds which individuals and companies stole from the state will be recovered including the ones gotten by inflating the prices of personal protective equipment (PPE).

“Cabinet condemns in the strongest possible terms all acts of corruption and is confident that all wrongdoers will eventually be prosecuted, without fear or favour,” Mthembu said.

Mthembu said Cabinet would give the necessary support to all law-enforcement agencies to deal with those involved in Covid-19 PPE tender corruption.

“This will include giving them the resources they need to function optimally, independently without fear, favour and prejudice in facilitating the investigation and prosecution of corruption-related cases without any further delay,” he said.

He said the National Treasury will work on refining the list of the corrupt companies submitted.

“Cabinet reaffirms that law-enforcement agencies will continue to be responsible for the investigative work.”

“Cabinet is also pleased with the progress made by the committee of ministers chaired by Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola.”

“The team of ministers was expected to coordinate the compilation of all the Covid-19 procurements and make it accessible to the public,” Mthembu said.

He said the Fusion Centre, which coordinated the work of all law-enforcement agencies, will present its first six-weekly report in the first week of September to President Cyril Ramaphosa.