Investigating procurement challenges within three provincial departments in Kwazulu-Natal.

Abstract

This research investigated challenges faced by public procurement at the Department of Arts and Culture, KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Treasury and Department of Sports and Recreation. In this study a quantitative research method was used. It involved finding out an unfolding model that occurs in its natural setting which allowed the development of detailed involvement from actual experiences of the participants. The obtained results were analysed using a Likert model. and it was deduced that there are challenges facing public procurement. This is regardless of the supply chain management officials’ competence in public procurement, their adequate knowledge of laws and regulations guiding it and availability of adequate facilities e.g. PC’s, internet facilities, photocopy, printers etc. Moreover, there is adequate information available to officials on supply chain management prescripts in the departmental policies and procedure manuals. This study concludes that, while the officials are adequately equipped with tertiary qualifications and have knowledge of laws and regulations guiding public procurement, there is high evidence of irregular expenditure which means there’s non-adherence to policy prescripts which includes the Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act 1 of 1999). This predicament may be addressed if the government were to show will and commitment by enforcing appropriate penalties to offenders who do not comply with the available legislative framework.