Public procurement determines how your tax money is spent. The Draft General Public Procurement Regulations, 2026 will shape government purchasing decisions for years to come and may impact transparency, transformation, competition, service delivery and anti-corruption measures.
DearSA identifies this as a critical topic due to the past mismanagement and poor allocation of taxpayers money when it comes to procurement of supplies i.e., State Hospitals with insufficient supplies.
The comment period has been extended by National Treasury and now closes on 15 July 2026. These regulations will give practical effect to the Public Procurement Act, 2024 and could significantly influence transparency, transformation, competition, local economic development, and the prevention of corruption in public procurement.
Official Documents
For the full regulations and supporting documents, visit: National Treasury Public Procurement Regulations Page
Why This Matters
Every road, school, hospital, water project, police vehicle, IT system, and government contract is paid for by taxpayers.
The regulations will determine:
• Who can compete for government contracts.
• How contracts are awarded.
• What transformation requirements suppliers must meet.
• How much discretion government officials have in procurement decisions.
• What oversight and accountability mechanisms will exist.
• How public funds are protected from waste, fraud and corruption.
Key Issues Citizens Should Consider
1. Transparency and Accountability
Citizens should consider whether the regulations provide enough transparency by ensuring awarded contracts, pricing, supplier ownership, and beneficiaries are publicly disclosed. Greater transparency makes it easier to detect corruption, conflicts of interest, and politically connected suppliers.
2. Government Discretion
The regulations create a more centralised procurement system, giving procurement officials significant decision-making powers. Citizens should consider whether these powers are clearly defined, subject to proper oversight, and open to independent review to reduce the risk of inconsistent decisions or abuse.
3. Transformation and Set-Asides
The regulations include measures to promote transformation and targeted procurement. Citizens should consider whether these requirements strike the right balance between advancing transformation, maintaining competition, supporting emerging businesses, and ensuring effective service delivery.
4. Value for Money
Government procurement should deliver the best possible value for taxpayers while remaining fair, transparent, competitive, and cost-effective. Citizens should consider whether the regulations achieve this balance without unnecessarily increasing costs or reducing competition.
5. Corruption Prevention
Public procurement has been one of the biggest sources of corruption and state capture in South Africa. Citizens should consider whether the regulations contain strong enough safeguards to prevent fraud, improve oversight, and ensure public money is spent responsibly.
In the Media
About DearSA – Where Data Meets Democracy
DearSA is South Africa’s leading public participation platform, empowering citizens to have a direct say in government decisions that impact their lives. We bridge the gap between residents and policymakers by ensuring that public input is collected, analyzed, and presented effectively to decision-makers.
DearSA, is where data meets democracy, ensures that public participation directly influences policy decisions. By completing this form, your comments will be sent to Parliament for consideration.
How Can You Help?
Citizens are encouraged to review the draft regulations and submit their comments before 15 July 2026. Whether you support or oppose specific provisions, public participation is essential to ensure that procurement remains fair, transparent, competitive and accountable.
Make your voice heard. Read the regulations. Submit your comments. Help shape the future of public spending in South Africa.
Contribute to democracy
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A small amount creates a huge impact. DearSA® is a registered South African non-profit organisation and, like all non-profits, does not qualify for relief funding from government. Please assist where you can.
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