Media reports at the weekend of unscrupulous lawyers scamming the government to defraud the fiscus of R80bn are par for the course under the ANC. The majority of claims were against the health department. Private firms of attorneys allegedly colluded with the state attorney’s office to "intentionally bungle claims against the state". The attorneys receive a portion of the claim as a pay-off. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s proclamation for the Special Investigative Unit to investigate this malfeasance from 2013 is likely to cost more than it is destined to recover. The unlikelihood of progress in this investigation will be due to the ineptitude of these enforcement units. Moreover, the fact the head of this state department failed to observe the "surge in claims between 2012 and 2016" is testimony to ineffectiveness. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says: "I was shocked that there was a case of R70m and the MEC knew nothing about it." His statement undoubtedly reflects on the ineptitude...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.