Cabinet has approved the establishment of a ministerial team that will look into all public procurement related to the Covid-19 pandemic during the country's lockdown period, minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu said on Thursday.

"Cabinet also approved the setting up of a team of four ministers to, amongst others, look into all Covid-19-related procurement during the lockdown period and strengthen current procurement systems," Mthembu said.

The team will consist of finance Minister Tito Mboweni, justice Minister Ronald Lamola, cooperative governance (Cogta) Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, public service and administration Minister Senzo Mchunu.

"All government departments will be expected to submit all procurement contracts awarded during this period to this ministerial team to be published and made accessible to the public," according to a statement from Cabinet.

The step forms part of efforts by the government to mitigate the damage from reports of widespread graft and irregularities in government department's procurement of material related to the public health crisis.

The issue dominated a meeting over the weekend of the national executive committee of the African National Congress, which said it felt deeply ashamed at indications that leaders and members of the party had benefited from funds destined to help the public in a time of unprecedented hardship.

President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier signed a proclamation mandating the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe all allegations of impropriety related to Covid-19 procurement. 

But the president himself has been weakened by the scandal through suggestions that his spokesperson Khusela Diko and her husband secured a contract with the Gauteng government, which they subsequently cancelled and termed an error of judgment.