The Special Investigating Unit has found that more than 2800 Covid-19 tenders in government were irregularly awarded.

President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the release of the final report of the investigation by the SIU into Covid-19 procurement.

The unit investigated 5,467 contracts with a total value of R14.3 billion.

In a statement, the Office of the Presidency says: “The release of the report follows the President’s authorisation on 23 July 2020 of an investigation by the SIU in terms of Section 4(1)(f) of the Special Investigating Unit and Special Tribunals Act, No 74 of 1996.President Ramaphosa authorised the SIU to probe any allegations relating to the misuse of COVID-19 funds across all spheres of government.The President gave the commitment that if the SIU found evidence that a criminal offence had been committed, it was obliged to refer such evidence to the National Prosecuting Authority.”

Key findings include:

• The SIU made 224 referrals for disciplinary action against officials in government departments or entities.
• The SIU made 386 referrals to the National Prosecuting Authority, as well as three referrals for Executive Action.
• The SIU made 330 referrals for Administrative Action, which includes blacklisting.
• The rand value of actual cash and assets to be recovered on the basis of the investigation is R551.5 million, while cash and assets recovered to date total R34.2 million.
• The value of potential loss prevented by the investigation is R114.2 million, while contracts set aside amount to R170.4 million.

Ramaphosa says it’s unacceptable that so many contracts associated with saving lives and protecting livelihoods were irregular, unlawful, or fraudulent.