By Mapaballo Borotho
- Basic Education has called for a probe into alleged irregularities in an R285 million school textbook tender linked to Lighthouse Publishers.
- The company was reportedly registered just days after contract specifications were issued, raising concerns about the integrity of the process.
- The government warns the allegations could impact millions of learners and has called in National Treasury to investigate.
An investigation is underway into allegations of procurement irregularities in the textbook procurement process.
This comes as media reports suggest that Lighthouse Publishers (Pty) Ltd, which stood to make more than R285 million by producing textbooks for the Department of Basic Education, was registered only three days after the contract specifications were issued.
According to the report, the publishing house’s directors secured the majority of approvals to produce new materials for Grades 1 to 3 – even though they do not have a history of producing school textbooks.
The Department says these allegations are gravely concerning. At stake is the delivery of quality education materials to over 13.7 million learners across South Africa.
Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube says any compromise in the integrity of textbook procurement directly threatens the ability of the education system to function effectively and undermines the constitutional right of every child to access basic education.
“It is for that reason that I have written to Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, requesting the National Treasury to investigate these allegations. The National Treasury is the legal custodian of procurement compliance. Before taking any further steps, I am seeking advice from the National Treasury.”
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