Standing Committee on Appropriations chairperson Mmusi Maimane has renewed his call for an electronic portal to track government tenders, arguing it would boost transparency and turn ordinary citizens into watchdogs against corruption. Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, the Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader highlighted how such a system could provide real-time updates on contract awards, helping people hold officials accountable for service delivery failures. This proposal builds on Maimane’s earlier advocacy, amid ongoing revelations from parliamentary probes into tender fraud and political interference.
As South Africa grapples with billions lost to procurement scams each year, Maimane’s idea draws from recent testimonies at the Madlanga Commission and Ad Hoc Committee hearings, which have exposed deep-rooted issues in public spending. With examples like the R2.3 billion Tembisa Hospital scandal fresh in mind, experts say a digital tool could prevent future abuses by making information accessible and flagging suspicious deals early.
Maimane’s Vision for a Transparent Tender System
In his Tuesday interview, Maimane described a user-friendly portal where citizens could check tender details on their phones, including progress reports and reasons for awarding contracts to specific firms. He gave a clear example: “Imagine if a South African was sitting at Tembisa Hospital and was able to go, fine, I’m sitting here, there are no medicines, yet a tender was issued to ensure that medicines are being delivered here. I can log on to my phone and know which company it is so that I can trigger the mechanisms.”
Maimane noted that while tender records exist, they are not easy for everyday people to access. A digital platform would change that, offering live updates on awards, company info, and evaluations. This, he said, would empower everyone: “All of us then become watchdogs against a corrupt system.” He also stressed the need for built-in alerts to spot odd activities before deals are done, helping stop insider trading and bids favouring those linked to politicians.
This is not Maimane’s first push. On 23 October 2025, he wrote to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, urging a full digital dashboard for all tenders, vendors, payments, and bid committee details. In a media statement, he tied it to commission findings: “Having listened to much of the testimony at the ad hoc committee and at the Madlanga commission it’s clear that we need to start discussing solutions to prevent the next Hangwani Maumela and the next Katiso Molefe.” BOSA spokesperson Roger Solomons added that the lack of visibility fuels fraud, fronting, and inflated contracts.
Linking to Ongoing Corruption Probes
Maimane’s call comes amid the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, set up in July 2025 after KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi alleged political meddling in police work. The commission probes criminal networks, interference, and corruption in the justice system. Recent testimonies, like from “Witness B” on 23 October, built on earlier claims linking Gauteng officials to drug cartels and hit squads.
Running alongside is Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee, hearing from figures like former Police Minister Bheki Cele, who disputed current Minister Senzo Mchunu’s disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team. These probes echo the Zondo Commission’s findings on state capture, where billions vanished at entities like Eskom and Transnet through rigged bids.
Key examples include the Tembisa Hospital fraud, where Hangwani Morgan Maumela – related to President Cyril Ramaphosa – secured R816 million in contracts via companies accused of fake documents and bribes. The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) uncovered R2.3 billion in irregularities there, involving syndicates. In health, an oxygen tender led to audits after the Independent Development Trust CEO’s suspension. In uMkhanyakude Municipality, assassinations tied to tender disputes show the deadly stakes.
Features of the Proposed Digital Dashboard
BOSA envisions a platform linked to the Central Supplier Database (CSD) and Treasury systems, featuring:
- All vendors doing business with government and SOEs.
- Tenders awarded, with amounts and work done.
- Quarterly payment updates.
- Bid committee members and decision reasons.
- Company directors and owners.
This would be searchable by anyone, aligning with laws like the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). Treasury has powers under PFMA Section 76(4)(c) to roll it out now. It matches global norms like the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) and Open Government Partnership (OGP), used in countries promoting open procurement.
Benefits include spotting fraud early, fairer competition, and less influence from “tenderpreneurs.” Solomons said: “The technology, the legal authority and the moral imperative all exist today.”
Broader Context: BOSA’s Fight for Ethical Governance
As BOSA leader, Maimane has long fought corruption. In September 2025, he slammed political interference in intelligence. Recently, BOSA joined GOOD and Rise Mzansi in Unite for Change for 2026 elections, focusing on public needs. Leaders like Songezo Zibi stress ethics over ambition.
Maimane’s past as Democratic Alliance leader saw him push for change, though he left in 2019 over party direction. Now, as Appropriations chair, he uses his role to advocate reforms.
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