An increasing number of incidents of corruption and food looting has been reported in all provinces except for the DA-governed Western Cape where there were claims that those in charge of the distributions – mostly ANC councillors – were not giving the food to the families that were most in need.
Government’s attempts to feed the poor and vulnerable during the extended lockdown are being hampered as opportunists – mainly local councillors – allegedly divert the aid to themselves and their supporters, and, in some instances, sell them on. In some parts of the country, councillors have been accused of demanding food parcel donations from businesses – parcels which never reach the intended recipients. Community activists, political parties and government officials are now warning that this opportunism is beginning to mirror the looting that took place at the time of the funeral of former president Nelson Mandela in 2013, when connected people channelled millions meant for memorials to themselves.
Then, as now, government procurement systems were relaxed to ease the purchase of goods and services. The alleged incidents of corruption and food looting currently taking place have been reported in several provinces, where claims are being made that those in charge of the distributions – mostly ANC councillors – are not giving the food to needy families.
There are fears that food-related protests, which have flared up in some provinces, could escalate if national government does not intervene.