South Africa: COVID-19 Corruption Puts 'Lives at Risk'

World

July 26th, 7:30am

Asharq Al-Awsat

FILE - In this May 20, 2020 file photo, people affected by the coronavirus economic downturn line up to receive food parcels in Pretoria, South Africa. South Africa's COVID-19 response has been marred by corruption allegations around its historic dollars 26 billion economic relief package, as the country with the world's fifth highest number of COVID-19 cases braces for more. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe/File)

South Africa´s COVID-19 response is marred by corruption allegations around its historic $26 billion economic relief package, as the country with the world´s fifth highest number of COVID-19 cases braces for more. President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a wide-ranging investigation into claims that unscrupulous officials and private companies are looting efforts to protect the country´s 57 million people. "More so than at any other time, corruption puts our lives at risk," he said in a national address Thursday night, AFP reported. Food for the poor. Personal protective equipment for health workers. Grants for the newly laid off. All have been pilfered, he stressed. South Africa is seen as the best-prepared of any country in sub-Saharan Africa for COVID-19, but years of rampant corruption have weakened institutions, including the health system. In October, the head of the government´s Special Investigating Unit said fraud, waste and abuse in health care siphoned off $2.3 billion a year. The unit is already investigating more than 20 cases of corruption related to the COVID-19 relief money, spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said. Public hospitals struggle and some health workers are openly scared. More than 5,000 of them have been infected. While nurses and others plead for more protection, overpricing scams for badly needed supplies are on the rise. According to AFP, after inflating face mask prices by up to 900%, some companies including Sicuro Safety and Hennox Supplies admitted guilt and were fined. South Africa now has more than 434,000 confirmed virus cases - well over half of the continent´s total - and over 6,600 deaths, while a new report has suggested the real death toll could be higher.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2412041/south-africa-covid-19-corruption-puts-lives-risk