Strategies Supporting the Enhancement of Adherence to Procurement Standards by the Kwa-Zulu Natal Department of Health

Abstract

Purpose: Regardless of the reforms and the employment of Supply Chain Management (SCM) as a strategic tool, South Africa still faces immense challenges in its procurement practices. Non-compliance with public procurement guidelines cannot be ignored because it has a significant cost to the government and the public as taxpayers. Methods: Mixed methods of data collection were employed in this paper to gather information from the relevant decision-makers and officials in finance and the SCM component. She found that unavailability of SCM staffing norms, shortage of staff, lack of supervision, shortage of skills, unavailability of an E-procurement system, and negligence are major determinants for non-compliance. Results and Conclusion: These findings have relevance for the Kwa-Zulu Natal Department of Health and also for the South African Public Sector as it strives to achieve a clean audit on procurement and contract management. Research implications: The Auditor General’s reports for the financial year 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 confirmed that this Department had received qualified audit opinions for two consecutive years for incurring irregular expenditure on procurement and contract management following non-compliance with procurement guidelines. Originality/value: This paper examined the possible actions to improve the Kwa-Zulu Natal Department of Health's adherence to procurement standards.