NEHAWU condemns increase in corruption association with the procurement of PPEs
4 August 2020
The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union [NEHAWU] notes with serious concern the sharp increase in corruption associated with the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment [PPEs].
On a daily basis reports of the pillaging of resources meant to procure PPEs for frontline workers surfaces. South Africa has always had a problem of corruption and it was to be expected that those who thrive on plundering public funds would thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic.
NEHAWU as a union organising in the health sector has always been at the forefront of exposing corruption especially in supply management, procurement, servicing of medical equipment, human resources and corrupt activities associated with outsourcing. However, this is not only about tenderprenuers lining their pockets with ill-gotten gains but about frontline workers who are getting infected on a daily basis.
The scourge of corruption is not a victimless crime as it robs our people of quality service delivery. Many frontline workers have lost their lives because of the lack of sufficient PPEs including the supplying of low quality PPEs by Covidpreneurs who get tenders because of their close proximity to decision makers rather than on merit or the ability to deliver quality goods on time. In this regard, we agree with our federation, the Congress of South African Trade Unions [COSATU], that President Cyril Ramaphosa must immediately rescue the country from sinking under the weight of corruption.