“Anti-corruption investigators are probing a sickening slew of allegations that unscrupulous officials and businesses benefited from billions meant to fight Covid-19.”

“Deals believed to be worth more than R2.2bn, involving emergency purchases of personal protective equipment (PPE), are at the centre of what one business leader described as a “heart-wrenching, unscrupulous and filthy” feeding frenzy.”

“Sandile Zungu, president of the Black Business Council, said he was saddened to see that his lobbying for black businesses to benefit from the process has been hijacked.”

“We now have to put it on record that these are not black businesses, but thieves,” said Zungu.

“The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is investigating 90 companies that received contracts from the Gauteng health department. It is also investigating R30m worth of allegedly irregular contracts in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as others in the Eastern Cape.”

“One of the companies on the leaked list is Royal Bhaca, owned by Bhaca King Thandisizwe Diko, husband of presidency spokesperson Khusela Diko. The Sunday Independent reported last week that his company Royal Bhaca was awarded two contracts worth a combined R125m.”

“The amounts are reflected on the leaked list. He said the contracts never went ahead even though he did the work. Khusela Diko, who has a close relationship with health MEC Bandile Masuku’s family,

said at the time she had advised her husband against doing any business with the provincial government.”

“The leaked list features the names of others with political connections.”

“One of these is Sicelo Buthelezi, once an adviser to former health MEC Qedani Mahlangu,and a former chair of the ANC’s Sandton branch.According to the list, Buthelezi’s company,HSB Mercantile, of which he is the sole director, received three contracts totalling more than R873m.”

“Buthelezi told the Sunday Times there was no conflict of interest because he had not worked for the department since 2012.”

Asked whether or not he had been paid, he would only say: “Certainly the relationship is ongoing but I cannot divulge without client approval any details concerning my company’s role as a service provider to them.”

“Former ANC activist and businessman Thabiso Lekoana also features on the list, which states that his company, LNG Scientific, won R113m in contracts. Lekoana confirmed doing business with the department, but declined to comment further.”

“Ntsikelelo Khatyana, chief operating officer of record label Mabala Noise, owned by former ANC Youth League treasurer-general Reggie Nkabinde, is on the list.”

“His company, Olwe2 Project Management Consultancy, got a R17m contract, according to the list. Khatyana did not respond to questions.”

“Maponya Medical Solutions, a company of which Chichi Maponya, the daughter of the late pioneering Soweto businessman Richard Maponya, is one of three directors, was, according to the list, awarded three tenders worth a combined R267m between March 30 and April 3.”

“She did not respond to questions sent on Friday.”

“Masebe said the SIU had interviewed provincial health officials, including former chief operating officer Kabelo Lehloenya, who resigned at the end of May. Lehloenya was not available for comment yesterday.”

“Masuku’s spokesperson, Kwara Kekana, would not release a list of companies that have won department tenders and would not comment further “to avoid interference with the ongoing investigation”.”

“Meanwhile, Zungu said: “The whole thing seems so unscrupulous and filthy, one doubts it will ever meet the National Treasury-issued regulations pertaining to emergency procurement of supplies and services.”

“Thieves and parasitic covidpreneurs who masquerade as black businesses must be handcuffed and shackled to their prison cells. They rob authentic, hard-working and ethical black businesses of an opportunity to do legitimate business with the state.

“South Africa is becoming a nation of thieves, with the most unscrupulous enablers in official positions all too ready to feast on the relief meant for the most vulnerable in our society.”