FROM PAPER-BASED PROCUREMENT TO E-PROCUREMENT: THE SOUTH AFRICAN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT LEGISLATIVE PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The public sector procurement processes in South Africa draws its mandates from a legislative framework which is anchored on section 195 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Therefore, migrating from paper-based procurement to e-procurement requires a legislative framework that will allow for the implementation of e-procurement processes. This stems from the fact that non-compliance with the legislative frameworks governing public sector procurement has a potential to plunge procuring institutions in to fruitless, unauthorised and irregular expenditure with dire implications which must be avoided at all cost. To this end, any form of non-compliance to the legislative framework governing public procurement has a gross potential to thwart successful implementation of e-procurement. The purpose of this empirical study based paper is to present findings on the impact that the South African public procurement legislative framework may have with regard to migrating from paper-based procurement to e-procurement. This paper is linked to the research objectives for a PHD study entitled “Developing e-procurement framework to enhance Supply Chain Management performance in the public South African public sector”. The study focused on National Treasury and four Provincial Treasury Departments in South Africa. (Limpopo, Gauteng, North-West and Western Cape Provincial Treasuries). The population of the study comprised of 108 officials and the sample of the study comprised of 84 officials. The study used random and purposive sample methods, and employed mixed methods which is qualitative and quantitative methods. Face-to-face interviews and self-administered questionnaires were used as data collection instruments. Due to COVID-19 pandemic face-toface interviews could not be feasible in some instances as such virtual meetings and telephone interviews were conducted. The results show that the current South African legislative framework governing public procurement is more on paper-based procurement and is not explicit when it comes to eprocurement. The study recommends the need for government to align the current legislative framework to the e-procurement dispensation to enable expedite its investment on upgrading Information Technology infrastructure. The study will contribute to the body of knowledge and to the shaping of policy perspectives given that it contains data collected from technocrats responsible for implementing procurement function in government.Today, life creates many challenges for all and whilst these challenges can create great benefits, they can also create uncertainty and confusion to some. Humanity needs to support the creation of positive influences and therefore create a collective growth and benefits, whilst recognising differences.