BY MBONO MDLULI
LOBAMBA – The Ministry of Home Affairs has defended its decision to award a E45.4 million tender to African Drums, assuring Parliament that the procurement was conducted through legally approved emergency procedures despite concerns raised by the Auditor General and Members of Parliament.
The matter came under scrutiny when officials from the Ministry appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the House of Assembly to respond to questions surrounding the procurement process.
Principal Secretary Nhlanhla Nxumalo explained that African Drums was engaged through an emergency single-source procurement arrangement due to urgent circumstances that required immediate intervention. He maintained that the Ministry followed the relevant procurement procedures before awarding the contract.
“The company was engaged under emergency circumstances through a single-source procurement arrangement,” Nxumalo told the committee.
However, Deputy Auditor General Samkele Motsa informed lawmakers that the Ministry had not provided sufficient documentation to fully demonstrate compliance with the Public Procurement Act of 2011 and the Public Procurement Regulations of 2020 in relation to the E45 437 310 tender awarded in 2024.
The findings prompted robust discussions among PAC members, who sought clarity on whether all procurement requirements had been met and whether emergency procurement provisions had been applied appropriately.
Despite the concerns, the Ministry emphasized its commitment to accountability and transparency. Nxumalo acknowledged the importance of maintaining public confidence in government procurement processes and revealed that lessons learned from the matter had already led to stronger internal controls.
“We learned from this matter and ensured that we engage transparently so that such incidents do not happen again,” he said.
Members of Parliament also requested assurances that measures are now in place to prevent similar procurement disputes in the future. In response, the Ministry reiterated its dedication to strengthening governance systems and improving transparency in all future procurement activities.
The PAC is expected to continue reviewing the matter as part of its constitutional oversight role aimed at promoting sound financial management, accountability and the proper use of public resources.
