Eastern Cape Premier, Lubabalo Mabuyane said the Bhisho Government welcomed the SIU report on its investigation into PPE procurement corruption.
The report was released on Friday and according to SIU head, Advocate Andy Mothibi, R13.7 billion of the more than R30 billion spent on PPE procurement by government, was under investigation.
The SIU said 17 matters were under investigation in the Eastern Cape, with three referred to the Special Tribunal
“We welcome the fact that no irregularities were found in the procurement of service providers by the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure to refurbish our health facilities, work that is still ongoing,” said Mabuyane in a statement on Sunday.
"He said infrastructure upgrades at 66 health facilities have been completed in the province.
The Premier also noted that the report did not find that Bhisho had not awarded a tender to a deceased person as had been widely reported.
Meanwhile, with regards to the procurement of motorbikes by the Department of Health, the Premier said the SIU report found that the procurement of the motorbikes was irregular, they confirmed that there was no money spent by the department to buy motorbikes.
He said he had requested additional information from the SIU that will enable him to take the appropriate action against Department officials implicated in the matter.
“The matter is not yet complete on our side because the SIU is yet to submit specific supplementary information about their findings to Premier Mabuyane for him to be able to take action on this matter.”
Premier Mabuyane said the SIU report shows that the government is investigating allegations of corruption, and wrongdoing and that action is taken when this is found.
“We want to make sure that the work of government continues without stains of corruption and wrongdoing,” Mabuyane said.
