Assessing the extent of transparency within procurement processes at the Johannesburg Roads Agency

Abstract

The South African Constitution of 1996, section 217 [1] requires public procurement to be done under a system that is fair, equitable, transparent, competitive, and costeffective; and procurement must be done through the Supply Chain Management (SCM) system carrying out all these principles including value for money. Procurement encompasses the transparent acquisition of goods and services guided by the principle laid out by the Constitution of South Africa. However, the maintenance of a high level of transparency in most procurement processes has been a major challenge in most agencies. The study assesses the extent of transparency within the procurement processes at the Johannesburg Roads Agency. A mixed-method research approach was used to assess the extent of transparency and a structured questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. The study employed a purposive sampling technique. The findings revealed that transparency is exercised when rendering procurement processes under section 217 of the Constitution. The study further recommends that there should be continuous enforcement of regulations and policies in place to enhance compliance with policies. Furthermore, internal controls should always be reinforced in supply chain management to avoid challenges associated with procurement. Continuous oversight monitoring, adherence to audits, monitoring, and evaluation of performance management systems are recommended to sustain an efficient and effective procurement system as well as improve accountability and capacity for learning and improvement. Key words: Public procurement