Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has called on the National Treasury to investigate alleged irregularities in the procurement of Foundation Stage textbooks.
This comes after reports circulated on social media claiming that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) had awarded a R1.6bn tender to Cape Town-based publishing company, Lighthouse Publishers (Pty) Ltd, which was reportedly registered three days after the contract specifications were released.
Gwarube said the allegations were seriously worrying.
“At stake is the delivery of quality education content to more than 13.7 million learners across South Africa.”
He said any compromise in the integrity of textbook procurement jeopardizes the ability of the education system to function effectively and undermines every child's constitutional right to access basic education.
Gwarube has now written to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana demanding a formal investigation into how the textbooks were procured.
“These allegations are serious and should be properly investigated as they involve the delivery of essential learning materials to schools,” he said.
Gwarube wants National Treasury, which oversees government procurement rules, to investigate whether proper procedures were followed and whether there was any wrongdoing during the awarding of contracts.
If evidence of irregularities is found in the investigation, action will be taken.
“If the investigation reveals any irregularities, I will not hesitate to take action. Whoever is found guilty will be prosecuted,” she said.
Times Live