Irregularities, misconduct and corruption in public sector procurement are not new challenges; but the COVID-19 pandemic and associated emergency procurement of goods and services put extreme pressure on the integrity of public procurement systems. It increased the risks of abuse and highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability.

In Indonesia, the country’s former social affairs minister was recently sentenced to 12 years in prison over a multi-million USD COVID-19 graft scandal. In South Africa, former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize resigned amid allegations of corruption linked to the Digital Vibes contract, which was part of his department’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jonathan Klaaren, Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand’s School of Law and the Wits Institute for Social and Economic Research (WiSER), recommends improved enforcement of the Public Procurement Bill and provisions to empower and incentivise whistle-blowers. He recently co-authored an article on this in the African Public Procurement Law Journal. Klaaren will be sharing his insights with delegates at the 2021 Smart Procurement World Indaba, South Africa’s longest-standing event for procurement and inbound supply chain professionals.

This year’s 15th Indaba will focus on redefining the profession, which has faced enormous pressure during the COVID-19 crisis. The two-day online conference takes place on 14 and 15 September 2021, followed by online event workshops as well as three physical workshops on 20 and 21 September 2021.

“Recognising the extreme pressure that procurement professionals in the public sector face, which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis, this year’s Smart Procurement World Indaba includes the 13th annual Public Sector Supply Chain Summit that will kick off with the not-to-be-missed ‘Hot Potato Panel’,” explains Smart Procurement chief operating officer Debbie Tagg.

Politics in procurement will be under the spotlight in this panel discussion. The panellists sharing their strategic insights on this hard talk include Steven Powell, René Kling and Mollen Atieno. Powell is Head of ENSafrica’s Forensics department. A renowned specialist white-collar crime prosecutor and forensics lawyer, his experience also includes anti-fraud and corruption matters and assisting clients to meet the anti-corruption compliance requirements in the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act, as well as the South African Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. René Kling is a procurement and supply chain specialist with more than 30 years of experience. Based in Australia, he lectures at the University of Tasmania’s University College in Applied Business. Mollen Atieno is the Supply Chain Manager for Nexgen Fuel Works in Nairobi, Kenya.

“Revelations from the State Capture Commission have left many stunned,” comments Tagg. “Procurement policy has been used to address the past discriminatory practices. However, this panel will debate whether, in the process of implementing the good intentions of the government, a conducive environment for corruption to thrive has been created, with devastating consequences to the economy.” The Hot Potato Panel will be moderated by journalist and editor Gia Nicolaides.

Control and accountability in supply chain management at a local government level is also on the agenda at the 2021 Smart Procurement World Indaba. Officials at Mopani district municipality in Limpopo were recently in the hot seat after it was reportedly uncovered that more than R513 million was paid to companies for irregular tenders, including in construction.

Some officials failed to declare their interests in the contracts. Indaba presenter Dr Tafadzwa Clementine Maramura will examine how local government institutions can effectively control and exercise oversight measures to reduce waste, eradicate ethical malfeasance and promote integrity, transparency and accountability. “This presentation will look at the supply chain management risk factors that threaten accountability and how they can be mitigated in a typical South African Metropolitan Municipality,” she explains. Maramura is an Associate Research Fellow in the Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Management and Commerce at the University of Fort Hare.

Companies around the world are accelerating their digitalisation strategies. Digitalisation offers substantial benefits in the public sector, where it can increase transparency, enable public tenders, minimise direct contact between procurement officials and companies, promote competition, and ensure that irregularities and corruption are quickly identified. A panel of experts will discuss how digitalisation can be achieved in the public sector at the 2021 Smart Procurement World Indaba. Thembi Tabata, Siyasanga Qupe, Shaheen Dewani and Simon Annan will look at the technology investments that the public sector should be looking into, as revealed by the COVID-19 crisis. They will also discuss who should spearhead the digital transformation in the public sector and provide insights on how to develop a clear digital transformation strategy for the public sector.

Tabata is a Chief Financial Officer and Chartered Accountant working in the public sector in South Africa. Qupe is a private sector supply chain leader and specialist in logistics and digital transformation. Dewani manages sourcing, procurement and IT vendors for ATB Financial in Canada. Annan is a procurement consultant who was involved in the World Bank-funded Public Financial Management Reform Project for Ghana’s Ministry of Finance.