Four South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members appeared in the military court on allegations of personal protective equipment (PPE) fraud and corruption to the tune of R273-million.

According to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the four - Lieutenant Dimakatso Modise, Lieutenant-Colonel Vivian Seadimo Peu, Captain Mbomolelo Avroline Tshikosi and Leading Seaman Suzen Jiane - appeared on charges of fraud and corruption related to the procurement of PPE items, such as masks and gloves, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.  

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said investigations found the SANDF irregularly awarded PPE contracts - worth R273-million - to five companies between May and August 2020.

"Evidence from the SIU probe shows that the list of service providers was predetermined, and some of the PPE items were delivered before approval, thus deviating from normal supply chain management processes.

"The SIU investigation revealed that the procurement process followed by the SANDF to procure PPE related items was not fair, transparent, equitable, competitive or cost-effective and thus contravened the provisions of Section 217(1) of the Constitution."

Kganyago said the four would be appearing in court on Friday, and it was "a continuation of the implementation of the SIU investigation outcomes and consequence management to recover assets and financial losses suffered by state institutions and to prevent further losses, and to hold them accountable".

He said the SIU would institute civil action in the Special Tribunal to review and set aside the contracts, and recover the money paid.