![1589613_25080462143757abf26okc1_jpeg7dd2d63486203574ddbf5aa9fee15b65.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/cryptoandcoffee/244UxX3yFBq5AQNjFDu7NXQAaJiteezT5We2LhSYpTyN9zn2Fx3tUv7xhFyDB6uhXYk9Y.jpg)

[source](https://mavink.com/explore/African-Military-Uniforms)

We here so much about inflation, greed and the impact it has on the economies we all live in. This post is just one example and if we were in on the spend we would be shocked and disgusted with what is truly happening. You would be asking yourself why you even bother paying taxes as this is only fueling the corruption.




This week a story was leaked that the South African Defence Force is updating their look by kitting out the troops with new uniforms. The figure that jumped out for kitting nearly 56 000 soldiers was R3.5 Billion averaging out at R55 000 per soldier.

The new kit is made up of the following where I have done some quick research paying retail pricing as a guide.

1. 1 x Bush Jacket R2500 which was much nicer than what the army offers and was lined. The one I had many years ago was decent, but nothing special. (R2500)

2. 2 x long sleeve shirts and 2 x short sleeve shirts. Can find them for R650 each so lets double it. Total Price R5 200.

3. 2 x trousers which are similar to combat pants with pockets on the legs. Again I doubled the price and this total is R3000.

4. 1 x cap which is most likely a beret type so even if we look for a top of the range and doubled it we would struggle to make it to R1000.

5. 1 x bush hat which would max out at R200 so lets make it R500.

6. 2 x boots and we have a huge budget left even though we would never pay more than R5000 for 2 pairs, so lets max out at R10 000.

7. 1 x Rain coat/suit which tend to be cheap and nasty and would be in the R300 range so again lets double it so R600.

8. 1 x cold weather rain suit and have no idea so as this is an example of corrupted prices lets stick this at R5000.

The total of the purchases with seriously inflated prices is R27 800 which is half of R55000. There is R1.8 Billion being creamed off the top here and is just an idea of how corruption is taking place.

If we compare what other military organizations are paying around the world for their equipment we can see how way out these prices are as even the Afghan Army came in at 50% off on the shirts and trousers bought by the US. The UK spends roughly R625 for a set of boots and here we have budgeted R5000 to highlight how bad this really is. 

The real price if the purchasing is done correctly due to buying in bulk will be around R18 000 and again that is being generous so the real theft of this purchase is in the region of $2.4 Billion or $133 million.  

When there is no accountability corruption will be rife and why officials always think it is a great idea to make purchases as it gives them a chance to make the extras on the side. This is the problem as no one questions the payments as very few even know what things cost anymore as nothing is real.

Not surprisingly the economy is in such a state as funds are not flowing how they should back into the market place and are heading out the country as it is easier to import items and leave the theft outside the country. All of this gear will be imported from China leaving the bounty to be collected by those involved.

The tender processes are open to abuse as it is not the price being offered, but who you know and who you are paying and why price has no bearing. This is why I walked away from a group of people starting a tender supply company almost 25 years ago. This is theft on another level and why a select group are so wealthy and everyone else is so poor.

Posted Using [LeoFinance Alpha](https://leofinance.io/@cryptoandcoffee/profiteering-on-another-level)