Question NW606 to the Minister of Finance

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18 March 2021 - NW606

Profile picture: Shivambu, Mr F

Shivambu, Mr F to ask the Minister of Finance

Whether procurement legislation will be adhered to in the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details?

Reply:

Please note that the procurement of the Covid-19 vaccines is a line function responsibility of the Department of Health. The Department of Health is the sole procurer of Covid-19 vaccines in South Africa on behalf of the public and private sector.

The National Treasury plays an advisory; compliance monitoring; and oversight role in the procurement of the Covid-19 vaccines.

Insofar as the role of the National Treasury in this regard is concerned, the NT will ensure that procurement legislation is complied with which includes the appropriate requests and approvals for departures from procurement procedures in line with Treasury Regulation 16A6.4 and SCM Instruction Note 3 of 2016/2017 (Preventing and Combating Abuse in the SCM System).

The National Treasury engages with the Department of Health on an ongoing basis prior and during the vaccine procurement process, particularly in respect of departures from procurement procedures.

The funding and procurement of the vaccines are kept central (through the National Department of Health). This allows for comprehensive central control of procurement, governance and the spending of funds. This approach also minimizes the opportunities for corruption, provides for central record keeping of agreements and centralised contact with manufacturers.

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