The 4IR could be a vaccination against the procurement virus
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Procurement legislation needs a massive overhaul with regard to new technologies. Legislation being introduced presents an opportunity to revolutionise the current procurement regime while remaining true to the principles of cost-effectiveness, fairness, transparency, equity and competitiveness, which are designed to advance economic development; poverty eradication; job creation; redress of imbalances of the past, as per the constitution; and support the entrance of new role-players and small, medium and micro-enterprises into the mainstream economy.
This piece is not about the current procurement corruption probes; it is a principled discussion about future government procurement processes, in line with the draft Public Procurement Bill (February 2020) that would repeal the existing framework. That said, the biggest pandemic confronting our society — second only to Covid-19 — is rampant betrayal manifesting as endemic corruption.
While we must be vigilant against unsubstantiated allegations, to avoid collapsing the state we must rid our country and society of tender irregularities and corruption. We need proper tools of analysis, rigorous probing, engagements, and creative and innovative scientific research to find preventive tools that protect the state and individuals.
Well-intended economic transformation policy interventions to address the imbalances of the past — with the objective of redress enshrined in our constitution and given effect through various pieces of developmental legislation, policy guiding state departments and related entities — have degenerated into procurement squabbles and the enrichment of a few.
This gory picture has been laid bare at the Zondo, Mompati and Khampepe commissions of inquiry, which exposed the deep rot that continues to erode the moral fibre of society, deepening poverty and widening inequality.
Technology can help address these challenges. The ANC must not be hamstrung by administrative challenges derailing it from this revolutionary task; let it use new technologies to drive business processes.
A review of the system is required, including stringent laws to ensure internal controls; the possibilities brought by the new technologies; how to program the systems with the internal controls entrenched in our laws and policies; how to automate the entire ecosystem; build in segregation of duties; remove human hands in the supply chain systems and processes; and produce dashboard reports that can be considered for monitoring and decision-making purposes.
Supply chain automation is about systematising part or all of a workflow to improve processes. In essence, it means utilising technology to centrally manage a complex web of working. Based on the above, digital transformation ...
This piece is not about the current procurement corruption probes; it is a principled discussion about future government procurement processes, in line with the draft Public Procurement Bill (February 2020) that would repeal the existing framework. That said, the biggest pandemic confronting our society — second only to Covid-19 — is rampant betrayal manifesting as endemic corruption.
While we must be vigilant against unsubstantiated allegations, to avoid collapsing the state we must rid our country and society of tender irregularities and corruption. We need proper tools of analysis, rigorous probing, engagements, and creative and innovative scientific research to find preventive tools that protect the state and individuals.
Well-intended economic transformation policy interventions to address the imbalances of the past — with the objective of redress enshrined in our constitution and given effect through various pieces of developmental legislation, policy guiding state departments and related entities — have degenerated into procurement squabbles and the enrichment of a few.
This gory picture has been laid bare at the Zondo, Mompati and Khampepe commissions of inquiry, which exposed the deep rot that continues to erode the moral fibre of society, deepening poverty and widening inequality.
Technology can help address these challenges. The ANC must not be hamstrung by administrative challenges derailing it from this revolutionary task; let it use new technologies to drive business processes.
A review of the system is required, including stringent laws to ensure internal controls; the possibilities brought by the new technologies; how to program the systems with the internal controls entrenched in our laws and policies; how to automate the entire ecosystem; build in segregation of duties; remove human hands in the supply chain systems and processes; and produce dashboard reports that can be considered for monitoring and decision-making purposes.
Supply chain automation is about systematising part or all of a workflow to improve processes. In essence, it means utilising technology to centrally manage a complex web of working. Based on the above, digital transformation ...
