Thread by @JacaNews

#Scopa The SIU is this morning briefing SCOPA on the outcomes of its investigations into the Covid-19 PPE procurement by state institutions.

#Scopa Advocate Andy Mothibi says the most spending for Covid-19 has been done at the national level at R13.5 billion from April to October 2020.

#Scopa Mothibi says limitations encountered includes “limited documents were kept by institutions for the procurement of PPEs.”

“Documents filing was a problem. Destruction of documents as well as mobiles.”

#Scopa Mothibi says there are ways of retrieving documents that the SIU applies.

He adds that some officials were not cooperating especially those in supply chain and finance departments.

#Scopa Mothibi says there were fears among witnesses and not wanting to be interviewed.

“We make sure that we have a witness protection for those who wanted to come forward”.

#Scopa Mothibi says SIU members were also threatened during investigations.

“Despite limitations, we were able produce what we have.”

#Scopa Mothibi says the type of goods that were supplied for PPEs were inconsistent with what the business offered.

#Scopa Mothibi: In certain instances there was an under delivery of what was supplied.

#Scopa Mothibi says 189 allegations were received into state institutions and entities.

“2556 PPE contracts were awarded for Covid-19 related services. The contracts were awarded to 1774 service providers.”

#Scopa Mothibi goes through some of the contracts that were investigated by the SIU that include the R10 million scooter tender in the EC, the Ledla structural development contracts and the Beitbridge Border Fence.

He says these are before the special tribunal.

#Scopa Mothibi says so far there’s been R24 million that has been recovered to the state on the SIU vs Ledla Structural Development.