Coronavirus: African nations battle corruption, profiteering linked to PPE, test kits

Investigations under way in Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Uganda, South Africa and Kenya

Zimbabwe’s health minister and South African president’s spokeswoman among those under scrutiny

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Health workers in some African countries say they are being deprived of essential protective equipment. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:00pm, 9 Aug 2020Updated: 10:41pm, 9 Aug 2020

African companies and individuals have been accused of profiteering during the Covid-19 pandemic, as reports emerge that health workers are being infected with the coronavirus because of a lack of suitable protective gear.

African countries have received billions of dollars in fresh loans from the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other nations, including China. They have also sought debt relief from the Group of 20 to help them weather the storm.

But allegations of corruption are rife, with prices of Covid-19 related tenders being inflated, food meant for the poor going missing, and money allocated to pay for personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies stolen.

The Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Uganda, South Africa and Kenya have all been affected, according to reports.

In South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa has set up a ministerial committee to investigate alleged corruption in relation to the bidding for government tenders. The public is up in arms and there are now at least 36 cases under investigation.