The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Public Works has fired its Director of Supply Chain Management and opened criminal charges after investigations revealed procurement irregularities worth R1.1 billion, including the improper awarding of 29 contracts to a single consulting firm.
The department discovered the violations in September 2023 when officials flagged multiple discrepancies in the director’s procurement activities, including missing documentation and failures in basic contract oversight.
“These included missing documents in the procurement file, significant discrepancies between services requested and those procured, non-conducting of required checks and balances and ensuring the fair awarding of contracts to bidders,” the department said in a statement.
The investigation revealed that one consulting firm had secured an “unfair and unchecked monopoly” through 29 separate contracts totaling R1,164,440,398.03.
Three additional senior officials face criminal charges for suspected corruption and financial misconduct, as the department expands its investigation.
Department MEC Martin Meyer emphasized the crackdown would continue: “The department’s hard stance and zero tolerance of corruption should be a stern warning to companies who seek to collude with officials in the department.”
The dismissed director’s key responsibilities had included risk identification and prevention of irregular expenditure during procurement – duties the department says were grossly neglected.
This enforcement action signals an intensified effort to combat corruption within KwaZulu-Natal’s public works sector, with Meyer confirming criminal charges will be pursued against all officials found guilty of financial misconduct.