By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube has requested the National Treasury to investigate alleged irregularities in the textbook procurement to a tune of R1.6 billion.
The tender has been issued to strengthen department’s foundations for learning campaign, which was launched last year to improve South African children’s dismal literacy and numeracy skills.
The company, Lighthouse Publishers (Pty) Ltd, was awarded over a quarter (26%) of the total approvals for the publishing of textbooks for Grade 1 to 3 pupils across the country, despite being registered days before the formal briefing on the contract requirements.
A total of 6 385 titles submitted by 19 publishers were approved for publishing, with the total cost of the orders estimated at R1.6 billion.
In a statement released today, the department said it is seeking the National Treasury’s intervention to ensure transparency and accountability.
“Any compromise in the integrity of textbook procurement directly threatens the ability of the education system to function effectively and undermines the constitutional right of every child to access basic education,” said Gwarube.
She confirmed that the department is requesting an investigation before taking further action.
“Should the investigation by Treasury uncover malfeasance, I will not hesitate to act. All those implicated will be dealt with,” added the minister.
Gwarube reiterated that she will not allow corruption to compromise learners’ future.
She added that the reason she had written to Treasury requesting to investigate the matter, stating it is the legal custodian of procurement compliance.
In reaction to this call for investigation, Lerato Ngobeni, ActionSA Parliamentary Chief Whip, has also called for urgent scrutiny of the tender process, pointing to the fact that the awarding company was registered only three days post the issuance of specifications.
Ngobeni remarked, “At a time when South Africa’s education system is under immense pressure, any suggestion of manipulation in the procurement of textbooks simply cannot be tolerated.”
Ngobeni further emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability, stating, “The Department and National Treasury must act speedily to ensure that this critical function is not compromised by a procurement process that appears, at best, deeply questionable. The cost of abuse in public procurement, particularly within the education sector, resonates through the lives of millions of learners.”