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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaDukuza Municipality (KDM) welcomes the investigation by the Hawks into Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) contracts to the tune of R4.2 million. We are looking forward to the outcome.

The municipality awarded 59 contracts for the procurement of personal protective equipment. We are elated with this investigation as there have been allegations of corruption into these contracts.

The municipality is well known for not following proper tender processes which have led to many corrupt riddled allocations of tenders. Politicians and municipal officials have allegedly been awarding tenders to their friends and families who in turn provide a shoddy service to the residents. We are hopeful that from this investigation the municipality will be forced to correct the failing Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes.

Even though as the Democratic Alliance we have long been calling for the SCM processes to be investigated. The ruling party has shown little to no interest in our calls. With the intervention of the Hawks hopefully, the municipality will cooperate. The KDM needs to do a proper clean-up of individuals who are there to serve their own needs and not the needs of the people in this municipality.

For far too long residents of KDM have been taken advantage of, because certain politicians and officials want to line their own pockets. Those that are found guilty must face the full might of the law.

The province of KwaZulu-Natal has seen many shocking reports into the procurement of PPE and we are certain that we will see the same in this ANC-led municipality.

The Democratic Alliance will continue to play an active role to ensure that this investigation receives the attention it deserves.

Issued by The DA