Deviations in the procurement procedures rose sharply between 2021 and 2023, according to a new report by Corruption Watch.
South Africa had seen a “massive increase” in such cases, coming in at 247% over this period.
The report was based on previous reports submitted to Treasury by state institutions. It looked ta the period between 2016 and 2023, though it was towards the end of the period that deviations really spiked.
The report added though that “this analysis is purely based on reported data, and the increase in the deviation numbers may reflect increased reporting of deviations rather than an actual increase in deviations.”
It also noted that while the number of deviations increased, their value did not: the latter declined from R34 billion in 2021 to R11.9 billion in 2023
Emergency measures were the most common reason for deviations; the largest number reported in 2023 was in the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, at 200.