Scandal at Transnet: Executives Fired Over Gargantuan Markup in Breathalyser Straw Tender

In a move towards rectifying startling corruption within Transnet, two executives have been swiftly dismissed over an exorbitantly inflated tender contract. The implicated R33.8 million agreement, was for the acquisition of thousands of disposable straws, primarily intended for breathalysers. The contract saw prices stacked up from an average of 28 cents per straw to an overblown R29 - marking an outrageous markup close to 10,000 percent.

These shocking details, forming a significant part of a Special Investigation Unit (SIU) report, were publicly revealed late last year. The SIU, South Africa's leading unit against corruption and malfeasance, delivered these findings during their progress report to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) regarding Covid-19-linked investigations. The nauseating scheme came to light following complaints to the SIU from a principled whistleblower within the ranks of Transnet.

The revelation of this scandal marks one of the significant milestones in the clampdown on corruption within state-owned enterprises. The swift action taken by Transnet furthermore sets a precedent for intolerance towards financial impropriety, and hopefully deters future occurrences of such corruption from rearing their ugly head.