South Africa’s (SA) Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) says it is fully aware of the matters raised in the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) proclamation issued last week.

This comes after SA President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the SIU to investigate alleged maladministration, as well as unlawful procurement and contracting processes linked to four vaccine research and manufacturing projects.

The projects under investigation involve the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, its entity the Technology Innovation Agency, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal province.

The department says it has already begun internal processes to assess the allegations and determine the facts surrounding the contracts in question.

DSTI Spokesperson Veli Mbele says the department has been proactively engaging with the issues raised in the proclamation.

Mbele says, “The Department is fully aware of the issues referred to in the SIU’s Proclamation. Over the past several months, under the leadership of the Director-General, the Department has been involved in an internal process to establish the veracity and, where relevant, address the alleged irregularities relating to the specific contractual agreements mentioned.”

Mbele adds that the process is ongoing, as the department co-operates with the SIU investigation.

–ChannelAfrica–