Corruption Scandals Complicates South Africa's COVID Response.
ANDERSON: Well, we have been to Jerusalem and we have been in Europe. We have looked at the United States. Now let's look at what's going on in south Africa. Reported cases of COVID-19 astronomically high there, dominating the continent's top five worst hit countries with more than 655,000 infections. But despite those rising cases, the government is reopening the country's borders to business and to tourism. Well, meanwhile, allegations of government corruption only making things worse. Some scandals involve deals between officials and businesses, providing medical equipment, providing food and emergency housing for those battling the virus. David McKenzie tracked down some of those involved.</s>DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The ruling ANC Party flag covers Elsie Monyella's (ph) window. The floor of her newly- constructed government home is already bending under the weight of just her and her 2- week old baby, Dipure (Ph). Months after it was proudly unveiled, this emergency COVID housing project in Limpopo province is falling apart. Independent contractors told us they could build permanent housing for less.</s>JERRY THEMA, TALANA RESIDENT: Everything is cheaper. You can see those things.</s>MCKENZIE (on camera): So where did the money go?</s>THEMA: I think they know, the know. The contractor and the person who gave the terms (ph) to the contractor.</s>MCKENZIE: Sir, it's David McKenzie from CNN. I'm a journalist. I'm looking to ask you about the Talana and Burgersfort developments.</s>PAKENG MOHLALA, AVENTINO GROUP (via phone): What about them?</s>MCKENZIE (voice-over): The contractor didn't say much on the phone. We still had questions. (on camera): I thought it would be easier if we talk in person. How are you, sir?</s>MOHLALA: So you are insistent?</s>MCKENZIE: Yes, it would be great, because I think you want to get your side of the story across, if possible.</s>MOHLALA: What do you need?</s>MCKENZIE: Well, we wanted to know about the allegations that this was a tender that had inflated prices. It is now suspended, so I just want to hear your point of view.</s>MOHLALA: No, there was no prices that were inflated on this term. The prices were fixed. This tender was given to more than 20 or 30 companies. I'm just one of them. I can assure you, my man. There is no corruption in this. That one, I'm 110 percent guaranteeing you.</s>MCKENZIE (voice-over): The housing development agency in charge of the tender refused to be interviewed, saying the project is under investigation. The minister in charge wouldn't talk to us either.</s>CYRIL RAMAPHOSA, SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT: Every instance of alleged corruption must be thoroughly investigated.</s>MCKENZIE: South Africa's presidency also declined an on-camera interview. Cyril Ramaphosa has promised to stamp out COVID-19 related graft, and it's a massive task. Many of the contracts under investigation, now made public, were given to people connected to the ANC, including the president's own spokesperson, who stepped down after it became public that a $7.6 million government PPE contract was initially awarded to her husband's company. In a statement, the couple tonight corruption, but sought to cancel the contract, adding they deeply regret the error in judgment. The special investigating unit told us they are looking into more than 700 companies linked to emergency COVID-19 contracts for possible crimes. Contracts worth a staggering 7.5 billion rand, more than $400 million. From PPE to water supply, to construction, South Africa's president describing the wave of corruption as a pack of hyenas circling wounded prey.</s>RAMPHOSA: All money stolen or overpriced should be recovered.</s>MCKENZIE: For Elsie Monyella (ph), even this shack is better than the plastic shelter she used to live in. Without money, or political connections, she says she is happy to accept whatever she's given. David McKenzie, CNN, South Africa.</s>ANDERSON: Well, let's get you up to speed on the other stories that are on our radar right now. For first time in five weeks, New Zealand has recorded a day with zero new COVID cases. More than 7,000 tests were processed on Thursday but none of them came back positive. Last month, the cluster of cases in Auckland ended three transmission-free months in the country. Well, in Jordan, a surge in cases in has closed schools for two weeks and led to warnings of up to a year in jail for those who organize large gatherings. Now, these strict new penalties are aimed at wedding parties, funerals, or any other gathering of more than 20 people. And London residents may be anxious to say good-bye to 2020 but it won't look like this. Because of the pandemic, Mayor Sadiq Khan has canceled the traditional New Year's Eve fireworks in central London. He is looking for alternative celebrations that families can enjoy at home. Well, Australia, which has some of the world's strictest COVID travel restrictions has now raised its cap on the number of citizens who can actually return home from abroad. For the last two months, only 4,000 Australian citizens were allowed to head home per week and the increase will bring that number to 6,000. Well, the controversial cap was introduced in response to the country's second coronavirus wave in July with the prime minister citing pressures on its mandatory hotel quarantine scheme. Well, as we reported earlier in the week, tens of thousands of Australians are currently stranded abroad with no job, no visa, no health care and no way to get home due to these caps. Many saying they feel utterly abandoned by their government. You can read some of their stories on CNN.com. And we have been requesting comment from Prime Minister Scott Morrison, as well as other officials for several weeks. They have not responded. The invitation as ever remains open. We'll be back after this.