South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed extreme anger at public officials and private contractors accused of stealing funds meant for the fight against COVID-19.
Ramaphosa referred to such public officials as Hyenas and vowed to deal with them.
The South African President expressed his views in a weekly newsletter where he alleged that local administrators, and private individuals were bidding for government contracts and inflating the prices protective gear and other medical equipment meant to fight COVID-19 in the country.
Ramaphosa said; “Attempting to profit from a disaster that is claiming the lives of our people every day is the action of scavengers. It is like a pack of hyenas circling wounded prey. We are witnessing theft by individuals and companies with no conscience.”
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Ramaphosa further vowed to deal with government officials and contractors found culpable of misappropriation of funds meant to fight COVID-19 after his spokesperson’s husband was accused of a COVID-19 contract scam.
“Those found to have broken the law to enrich themselves through this crisis will not get to enjoy their spoils, regardless of who they are or with whom they may be connected,” the president said.
South Africa has the highest number of coronavirus cases in Africa and the fith largest in the world with 517,000 confirmed cases.