Question NW2396 to the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

Marais, Mr S to ask the Minister of Defence and Military Veterans

(1) Whether, with reference to the findings by the Ministerial Task Team (MTT) into thee irregular procurement of the Cuban drug Herberon recombinant interferon alpha-2b, the final decision to irregularly procure the unregistered drug to use as a treatment against Covid-19 infections in the Republic was taken by the Surgeon General, regardless of who signed it off; (2) what was the role logistic in the process, with specific reference to the role of the Chief of Logistics and Major General Tyhalisi, specifically with regard to (a) receiving the drugs 9b) dealing with the declaration to the SA Revenue Services and the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and (c) the illegal importation of the drug at air force base Waterkloof and OR Tambo international airport; (3) whether, based on the findings and recommendations by the MTT and the Auditor General of South Africa, and her promise that heads must roll as a consequence , anyone has been held accountable before a disciplinary committee and/or the National Prosecuting Authority, if not, 9a) why not and (b) what will the consequences be if nobody is held to account, if so, what are the case number and relevant details; (4) whether all the drugs were sent back to Cuba, if not, why not, if so, have the Cubans accepted everything back and agreed not to hold South Africa accountable for only the 10 vials approved by SAHPRA; (5) (a) what is the final value of the drugs returned and (b) has the Cuban government and/or TECHNOIMPORT Enterprise returned the R33m that was irregularly paid to the Cuban government; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?