The Auditor General’s investigation into the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development’s procurement processes revealed a number of flaws in the way the department is operating, the Auditor General (AG) said on Thursday.
Tabling his report, AG Terrence Nombembe said the department has failed to follow proper tender procedures.
”In five provinces the department did not appoint the service provider that obtained the highest points.
”This resulted in the department paying 35,38% on average more for the transcription services,” the AG said in his report.
The investigation also revealed many other irregularities.
It found that service providers who did not submit all documentation as required by the request for quotation were not being disqualified from the evaluation and adjudication process.
”In fact five of these service providers were subsequently appointed,” the AG said.
The investigation, which was initiated at the department’s request, found that many of the bids were being cancelled as a result of staff bungling.
Measures that the department had instituted to rectify the situation included the hiring of appropriately qualified and skilled staff within the supply chain management division, said the AG. — Sapa