Unimpressed Ramaphosa Promises to Come down Hard on Pandemic Looters
- President Cyril Ramaphosa recently addressed the findings of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in his weekly newsletter
- In the letter, Ramaphosa expresses great disdain for those who took advantage of a health crisis by going out of their way to defraud the country of millions of rands
- Ramaphosa has however said that the country can rest assured as those involved in criminal acts regarding the pandemic will be punished for their actions
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The South African Special Investigating Unit (SIU) recently revealed in a report the extent that looting of public funds via defrauding governmental organizations and overpricing certain personal protective equipment has affected the country - and President Cyril Ramaphosa is far from impressed.
Addressing the findings of the SIU in his weekly newsletter, Ramaphosa expressed great disdain for those he says went out of their way to defraud the country in a time when it was facing what may be its biggest health crisis.
Ramaphosa also expressed his shock at the great lengths many people were going to, to be able to rob certain institutions and get money from the country, adding that it was not a result of negligence or lack of oversight by governmental officials, but "willful intent" to defraud.
Source: Getty Images
“As scores of people became ill and many were dying, some people saw an opportunity to cash in. They purposefully set out to steal millions in public money, misuse state property, and divert resources meant for the South African people into personal pockets," said Ramaphosa in his statement.
Ramaphosa's newsletter does however bring a bit of lighter news as the president promises to clamp down hard on those involved in the looting of public funds during the pandemic. Those who raised prices of PPE and other essentials were also noted for punishment by Ramaphosa, reports a BusinessTech article.
Meanwhile, South Africans have had this to say about the SIU and their findings:
@TenzaMbuso said:
"That the only thing that worries poor South African is a good investigation but why no Arrest guys"
@RNaidoo said:
"Exactly, which I’ve been asking for so long. Most of the thieves are known but not one are being bars."
@YoYoNewmie said:
"Thank you so much. You give us citizens hope for a better South Africa again."
@RNaidoo said:
"The only time I will be happy about news like this is when I see Thieves behind bars"
Briefly.co.za Judge Raymond Zondo has recently called on the ANC to come before the commission and explain how billions of South African rands were stolen during the 2020 Covid-19 disaster management.
According to Zondo, the ANC has complied with his request to receive answers and is currently filing affidavits in preparation for their standing at the Zondo Commission on a date that is yet to be revealed to the public.
Zondo has further criticised the party for allowing the corruption and looting of taxpayers money to spiral so far out of control adding that the party may be somewhat involved in not ensuring that its MP's were not performing their oversight duty to the best of their ability or at all for that matter., reports an IOL article.
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Source: Briefly News
