“Damaging claims of profiteering from Covid-19 contracts have split the ANC’s top brass along pre-Nasrec factions,as leaders squabbled at the party’s national executive committee (NEC) meeting this weekend over how to deal with corruption allegations levelled against its leaders”

“The standoff in the NEC on Friday was sparked by President Cyril Ramaphosa’s opening address, in which he is said to have warned the ANC executive that corruption has tarnished the party’s brand.”

“At the centre of a heated debate was a proposal by Enoch Godongwana, head of the NEC subcommittee on economic transformation, for a committee led by former president Kgalema Motlanthe,

and including former president Thabo Mbeki, to investigate claims of corruption against party bigwigs.”

“The battle comes as more claims emerge of relatives and friends of ANC leaders benefiting from government contracts for personal protective equipment (PPE) running into millions of rands.”

“Party activists went on social media on Friday to try to counter the wave of negative publicity engulfing the party, following revelations that more leaders’ relatives have had a bite of the PPE pie.”

“ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule’s eldest son Tshepiso’s Motheko Projects received a contract for R2.29m and Tshepiso’s brother Thato’s Marvel Deeds scored R427,221 from the Free State treasury, according to the Daily Maverick.”

“Tuwo Rhodesia, a company owned by former minister Nomvula Mokonyane’s daughter Katleho, was handed a R2.7m contract to supply soap to Gauteng’s health department, the website reported.”

“Ramaphosa’s son Andile is involved in a project to provide a safety feature for taxis to limit the spread of Covid-19, through his nonprofit company SDI Force.

Ramaphosa jnr partnered with FNB in the R6m project. No state funds are involved in the project.”

“A relative of deputy minister in the presidency and ANC NEC member Thembi Siweya scored more than R800,000 worth of contracts to supply PPE.”

“Siweya’s cousin, Hlulani Siweya, was awarded contracts by the Limpopo health department to deliver face shields and heavy-duty surgical gloves through her company, Rebantle Trading & Projects.”

“Siweya becomes the second high-ranking official in the presidency to be mentioned in the PPE procurement scandal.”

“Presidency spokesperson Khusela Diko had to temporarily step aside from her position after it emerged that her husband was awarded a contract worth R124m by the Gauteng health department to supply PPE.”