Urgent investigation called for Cape textbook tender

Photo for illustration. (Photo: iStock)

ActionSA insists on an urgent investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding a textbook tender of approximately R285 million awarded by the Department of Basic Education.

This tender was apparently awarded to a Cape Town company that was registered only three days after the specifications were issued – a development that causes serious concern and, according to this party, must be urgently investigated.

Matthew George, the national director of communications for ActionSA, says that at a time when the country’s education system is under tremendous pressure, any manipulation in the procurement of textbooks and learning materials simply cannot be tolerated.

“The department and National Treasury must act quickly to ensure that this critical function is not compromised by a procurement process that looks deeply questionable at best.”

He says South Africans are all too familiar with how public procurement is misused through irregular and corrupt practices, “and when this happens in the education sector, the damage is equally immediate and far-reaching, directly undermining the quality of education for millions of learners.”

“ActionSA calls on the department of basic education and the national treasury to act urgently to establish all the facts and ensure that there is no doubt that this contract was awarded legally, transparently and in the best interest of millions of learners,” says George.