State contracts won’t be awarded in ‘dark corners’ under new tender law - Ramaphosa

CAPE TOWN - President Cyril Ramaphosa says State contracts will no longer be awarded in "dark corners" away from public scrutiny under the new tender law.

Ramaphosa has guaranteed more transparency in State tenders after signing the Public Procurement Act last week.

Writing in his latest newsletter on Monday, Ramaphosa said the law eliminates the problem identified by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo of fragmented procurement laws by creating a more centralised system.

In the report of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, Zondo described corruption in procurement as “the centrepiece of State capture”.

Zondo consequently made several recommendations on how to prevent corruption in the procurement of goods and services by the government.

Ramaphosa said as part of fulfilling this recommendation, he has signed into law the Public Procurement Act to address corruption that is mainly rooted in procurement and tenders.

The president further states the new law has provisions that ensure no government official may be directed, either verbally or in writing, to violate the required procurement processes.

He said another key provision in the act is how it will make the procurement system far more transparent - using technology to disclose tender information.