Deputy President David Mabuza says government is striving for a new way of working that will allow state-owned entities to function without political interference.

Deputy President David Mabuza blamed government systems and controls and also cited the human factor for failing to detect rampant corruption linked to COVID-19 social relief and the procurement of protective equipment and supplies.

Former Tiso Blackstar journalist Ranjeni Munusamy was last year implicated at the Zondo inquiry into state capture by a senior Hawks officer of having received dubious payments.

The reason for the delay is a dramatic surge in vandalism and theft during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Opposition parties have been scathing about the economic reconstruction and recovery plan, describing it as a rehash of old promises.

President Cyril Ramaphosa conceded that while many aspects of the plan were not new, a more careful reading would show a new resolve and determination to implement the changes needed.

The IFP's Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi told the National Assembly that President Cyril Ramaphosa and the government have tried to do their best with the economic reconstruction and recovery plan unveiled last week.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura said that the strategy was a clarion call for the country to rally around to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic with a new economy.

The passenger rail network has lacked proper protection since security companies’ services were terminated late last year.

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi says the UIF has so far paid out more than R49 billion in 11 million payments, reaching about five million laid-off workers.

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi on Tuesday updated the National Assembly on progress made in dealing with corruption linked to the COVID-19 relief.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is currently investigating fraud and corruption linked to COVID-19 procurement of more than R10.5 billion.

Hawks head Lieutenant-General Godfrey Lebeya said that the Hawks were dealing with a huge influx of cases, with Auditor-General Kimi Makwetu’s special report on COVID-19 corruption highlighting 80,000 exceptions or illegal payments that needed to be followed up.

Ramaphosa said the action the government has taken to clamp down on COVID-related corruption will strengthen the broader fight against crime.

The ambitious plan focuses on four key areas: a big public employment drive, energy security, massive infrastructure development and the industrialisation of the economy.

President Ramaphosa's economic recovery plan will see the rollout of infrastructure development worth billions of rands, steps to ensure a reliable energy supply within two years, a jobs stimulus programme and the industrialisation of the economy, driven by a massive buy-local campaign.

Political parties have expressed their unhappiness about not being able to respond to what the president says when President Ramaphosa unveils the plan during this afternoon’s joint sitting of Parliament.

National Assembly Secretary Masibulele Xaso on Thursday said the independent three-member panel to decide whether Mkhwebane has a case to answer should be able to start its work by 1 November.