Maart 2013: jaargang 10, nommer 1 - LitNet

LitNet Akademies Jaargang 10 (1), Maart 2013
There are three solutions or steps that may greatly contribute to regulatory success against
corruption in public procurement.
First of all, it is imperative to create a single statute dealing with all aspects of procurement,
with specific regulations containing all the rules of procurement. Such a step would go a long
way towards establishing a much more transparent system, which much greater possibility of
effective compliance monitoring. It would also contribute towards the development of
procurement expertise, which in turn should result in greater compliance.
Secondly, while it is perfectly in order to have organs of state conduct their own
procurement, there needs to be a central oversight body at national level that can monitor all
procurement practices and initiate strategic interventions, such as the formulation of new
procurement rules, where systemic problems emerge.
Lastly, once the these two steps have been taken, it is important for courts to clarify and
carefully delineate their role in the regulation of public procurement. This involves revisiting
the availability of various remedies and the circumstances under which each one can be
pursued.
In conclusion, corruption, and procurement corruption in particular, is one of the biggest
threats to South Africa’s continued development towards a stable constitutional democracy. If
we leave this scourge unchecked it will continue to diminish our already limited resources for
delivering on the social justice commitment that is a key ingredient of our constitutional
transition and remains largely only a promise to most South Africans. Corruption in public
procurement does not only divert resources away from their public purpose, but also
undermines the very programmes that were meant to be served by the goods and services thus
procured. Curbing procurement corruption should therefore be a priority in our general war
on corruption.
Keywords: administrative law; corruption; damages; judicial review; public finance
management; public procurement; regulation; state contracting; tenders
1. Inleiding
Korrupsie en staatskontraktering het al bykans sinoniem geword in publieke omgang in Suid-
Afrika. So te sê elke week is daar nuus van bewerings van een of ander vorm van
ongerymdhede in ’n staatskontrak. Dit is dus geen wonder nie dat die
nuutskepping tenderpreneur deeglik wortel geskiet het in openbare debat oor hierdie
hedendaagse plaag. 1
Die omvang van beweerde korrupsie en ongerymdhede in staatskontraktering in Suid-Afrika
is enorm. In antwoord op ’n vraag in die nasionale vergadering het die President in Mei 2012
’n lys van 25 ondersoeke deur die spesiale ondersoekeenheid ingevolge die Wet op Spesiale
218