The effectiveness of tender practices in municipal supply chain management : an exploration of two municipalities in Amathole district municipality in the Eastern Cape province (2009 - 2012)

Abstract

he tendering process is central to acquisition of public services and goods in all over South Africa. Municipalities and government institutions just like any private institution need to buy products and services in order to perform their functions effectively. But the procurement function has not been an easy one for government with the tender process being slow and not transparent which can lead to a process of settling invoices taking up to three months, potentially destroying small businesses. The primary objective of this study therefore, is to find the causes of nepotism, bribery and corruption in tender practises in the two selected municipalities of the Amathole District and the factors that lead to delayed payments in the tender practises and further makes recommendations on how to eliminate such factors.