DA in Mpumalanga calls for transparency in Covid-19 vaccine roll-out plan following allegations of Premier Mtsweni-Tsipane’s ties to a certain company

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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mpumalanga calls for transparency in the tendering of Covid-19 vaccine distribution.

This follows allegations that were leveled against the Premier in the province, Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane that a company registered by the name of Jova Vaccine Supply is owned by the Premier’s family and that the company was allegedly awarded a R 200million tender to distribute the vaccine.

It was also further alleged that the company was given over R 1.5million upfront payment.

The DA say although the Premier has refuted the claims, her comments cannot just be taken at face value, further investigations must be made and the Premier must prove her innocence.

“The DA therefore demands a detailed provincial roll-out plan, which will contain the names and directors of any companies that are contracted, or are in the process of being contracted to distribute or administer the vaccines in Mpumalanga.”

“The DA can confirm Jova Vaccine Supply, K2021362790, was only registered as a Private Company on 29 January 2021, just three days before the Covid-19 vaccines arrived in South Africa from India. This on its own is suspicious and it is crucial that Mtshweni-Tsipane plays open cards and release a transparent vaccine roll-out plan.”

They also added that the Premier’s recent acts of defiance for braking lockdown regulations by not wearing mask at late Minister Jackson Mthembu’s funeral as stipulated by the level 3 lockdown shows that she is already guilty of neglecting her own government’s lockdown rules.

“The DA will not hesitate to call for her removal if she fails to be transparent over the latest allegations” concluded the DA.