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The Gauteng Health Department has wasted 141 000 half-litre bottles of sanitiser which cost R12.7 million as it has expired and is no longer useable.

This is disclosed by Gauteng Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

According to Mokgethi, R100 million was paid for 544 000 units of sanitiser to assist with the Covid-19 epidemic, but only 392 000 units (74%) was used. The remaining 141 000 units which totals 70 000 litres cannot be used as they have expired and are currently being stored at Kushesh Warehouse quarantine area.

Mokgethi says that the sanitiser had a limited product validity period of one year from 31 March 2020 to 31 March 2021. Samples of the sanitiser were submitted to the Quality Assurance department in December 2020 to check the quality, but no feedback has been received to date.

I am concerned that poor quality sanitiser was bought as it should normally be valid for at least three years. Why has the Quality Assurance department still not given a report on this after one year?

Health workers often complain that they are not given sufficient sanitisers, which adds to the risks they face with rampant Covid-19 infections.

Corruption may well be involved as has occurred with much of the PPE procurement.

We need accountability in this matter and penalties for companies that have provided substandard supplies.

Issued by DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom