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This International Anti-Corruption Day, R2K calls on all South Africans to stand united and fight against corruption. Today the international community is speaking in one voice under the theme: 'Recover with Integrity to Build Forward Better'. 

To mark this day, R2K in Gauteng will picket outside the Gauteng Legislature at 43 Rissik Street, in Johannesburg from 10 AM to call for the arrest of all those implicated in Covid-19 widespread corruption. 

Earlier this year we learnt with disappointment that the Gauteng government has spent more than R10-billion on procuring personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect frontline healthcare workers. Many of them got infected and died of Covid-19 related complications due to the absence of this necessary equipment. It has been reported that politicians and connected tenderpreneurs exaggerated the prices of PPE and thereby becoming overnight millionaires. 

The SIU said in Gauteng alone it was investigating, 90 companies used to procure PPEs; 30 companies used to procure medical equipment and 32 companies for services related to catering, flights, accommodation, counselling sessions for staff, among other services’ but three months down the line no arrests have been made despite the suspension of various departmental heads including former health MEC, Dr Bandile Masuku.  

Masuku and presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko will reportedly face ANC disciplinary processes next week. We are concerned, however, that this deeply criminal act does not book them a place and orange overalls in prison. We are not happy with how the government is handling these serious allegations. Ordinary South Africans are suffering because resources meant to improve their everyday lives are channelled somewhere else by corrupt politicians and administrators. 

R2K persists to call out corrupt tendencies both in the public and private sector. You can also play your part by reporting any corrupt activities to Corruption Watch’s Anti-Corruption hotline on 0800 023 456. As citizens, it is our role and responsibility to enforce zero-tolerance practices towards corruption.

Issued by R2K