South Africa’s special investigative unit (SIU) is investigating corruption in the 500 billion rands aid Fund set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa back in April. This Fund was intended to combat the spread of COVID-19 and compensate for heavy economic losses as a result of blocking, The south african.com reports.
SIU was assigned to lead the investigation into allegations of fraud and corruption. The national Declaration COVID-19, which will define the mandate and terms of reference of the investigation, is in the final stages of development.
SIU representative Kaiser Kganyago confirmed that all corruption charges related to the 500 billion rubles aid Fund will be combined into one investigation under the national Declaration COVID-19.
However, before the investigators begin active actions, President Ramaphosa, who initially certified the COVID-19 relief Fund, will have to sign this statement.
The Fund accounts for 10% of the country’s GDP and is supported by international financial institutions. In announcing the aid package, Ramaphosa insisted that municipalities, government departments and state-owned enterprises would have to account for the costs associated with the 500 billion-rands Fund.
According to the health sector anti-corruption forum, at least 20 serious fraud complaints have already been registered and are awaiting further investigation.
The Complainants report that tender corruption is rife under the cover of secrecy, with millions of Rand falling into unscrupulous hands as a result of a flawed COVID-19 awareness campaign. Initial reports show that a company contracted to run an end-to-end campaign worth 4.8 million rand was unable to prove any form of coverage.
Earlier, anticorr.media reported that the former President of Ecuador, Abdal Bucaram, was detained in the case of corruption in the purchase of medicines. Bucaram ruled Ecuador for only six months – at the junction of 1996 and 1997. He was dismissed from his post by the Parliament. Then the former leader had to spend 20 years in exile in Panama.
