$1\mathrm{.}3.$ In December $2024,$ the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee for Basic Education considered allegations of tender irregularities in the awarding of an information technology tender by the Western Cape Department of Education $($WCED$)$ to Blue Networks Consortium $($BNC$).$ The Committee was briefed on the various possible irregularities identified by Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr within the procurement process, and the perspectives of the WCED and the State Information Technology Agency $($SITA$)$ were also heard.

The Committee raised several concerns, including the consequences of the main four irregularities identified by CDH in the procurement process; the withdrawal of court proceedings by SITA to address the alleged irregularities; the multiple differing opinions and viewpoints within the SITA board; the continuation of the contract between the WCED and BNC despite the alleged irregularities; possible conflicts of interest between SITA board members and the procurement process; and the general lack of accountability for those involved in promoting the aforementioned irregularities" $($Parliamentary Monitoring Group, $2024).$

Briefly discuss what you understand about the role of Parliament and its portfollo, and sector portfolio committees in terms of oversight of government spending and explain whether you believe they are effective in what they do and in preventing corruption?

Source:

Parliamentary Monitoring Group. $(2024).$ Irregularity in the WCED IT tender award, with the Deputy Minister. hitps:$//$pmg$.$org.zalcommittee$-$meeting$/40036/($accessed $31$ January $2025).$