President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for harsh action against government officials who have been stealing and hoarding food parcels meant for the poor during the Coronavirus national lockdown.
Meanwhile, the government will increase welfare provision to help poor households suffering because of the lockdown aimed at containing the Covid-19 outbreak.
Ramaphosa has termed the theft of food parcels, in some cases allegedly by ANC officials, “disgusting” and conceded that the State’s roll-out of support to citizens at risk of starving under the lockdown has been too slow.
In his weekly newsletter, he said the government had acted speedily to impose the lockdown on March 27 to save lives.
“We had to act quickly to save lives. And we must acknowledge that in the days and weeks that have followed, the provision of support to our country’s most vulnerable citizens has been slower than required and that lapses have occurred.
“As government, we will this week, be providing information on the direct interventions we are taking to shield our most vulnerable citizens from the grim prospect of starvation.”
CLAIM: Officials allegedly stole parcels
He said the extraordinary circumstances wrought by the Coronavirus pandemic had exposed fault lines in South African society, to be blamed both on apartheid and post-apartheid failures to address inequality.
“Yes, these are the residual effects of a fractured and unequal past. But, they are also a symptom of a fundamental failing in our post-apartheid society,” he said.
“There can be no greater anguish than that of a parent whose children cry out to them for food, but they have none to give.”
He said distressing images had emerged during the past three weeks of the lockdown of the hungry clamouring for food parcels as well as protests over food shortages.
Police will also investigate media reports of officials keeping food parcels meant for the poor and selling them for profit.
“We have also had to contend with allegations, both disturbing and disgusting. A number of provinces have received reports that callous individuals, some of them allegedly government officials, are hoarding or selling food parcels earmarked for the needy and destitute, or diverting them to their friends and families.
“If there is found to be substance to these allegations, we will deal with the individuals concerned harshly,” the president said.