Curbing corruption in public procurement through effective public procurement policy in the public sector : a case study of the Western Cape Province

Abstract

This study sought to address public procurement policy development and implementation to combat corruption. This study contends that developing and implementing public procurement policies are important to prevent corrupt activities in state institutions in the Western Cape, South Africa. State institutions encounter challenges such as the lack of internal control measures, public procurement policy lapses and vulnerabilities, conflicting opinions, and a lack of accountability and interpretation of implementation objectives. These challenges hamper the successful implementation of public procurement policies in state institutions. The main objective of the investigation was to develop a framework to combat corruption in public procurement in the state institutions in the Western Cape. The framework intends to assist state institutions in combating ever-increasing corruption practices. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were employed. Data were collected from public procurement managers and practitioners at selected state institutions in the Western Cape. Both qualitative and quantitative data were concurrently collected. The study used a convergent parallel mixed-method research method. Evidence from a case study of twenty-five (25) selected state institutions in the Western Cape, South Africa, is presented to achieve the research objectives. The data from both phases were analysed, and a practical model was developed. The intention was to present a flexible, easy-to-understand model for use by state institutions. It is envisaged that the implementing of the model anticipates reduced corrupt practices in state institutions in the Western Cape. The study reveals that complex regulatory measures are challenging to operate when implementing public procurement policies, unlike what is stated in the objectives. It requires capability training, upskilling, strengthening of the internal control measures, clarity of policy objectives, accountability, and transparency. The root causes of corruption must be addressed so that the state institutions' capabilities to deliver on their mandates. These measures are critical factors in limiting opportunities for corrupt activities. The research focused on the public procurement environment and, therefore, its primary application in state institutions in the Western Cape effectively addressed specific challenges related to implementing procurement policies aiming to curb corruption. Recommendations are suggested in the study, provided the complexity of public procurement policy implementation at state institutions in the Western Cape. Further research could be conducted to investigate the potential applications of the model in state-owned enterprises. The model might also be adaptable to other service industries.