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MOTION ON FLAWED DRUG TENDER PROCUREMENT FAILS IN PARLIAMENT

By Nokuphila Haji | 2025-03-27

The motion brought by Mbabane East Member of Parliament, Welcome Dlamini, seeking answers from the Minister of Health regarding alleged flaws in the procurement process for pharmaceuticals and vaccines, was not passed in Parliament. The motion was deemed misdirected by the house.

Dlamini's motion focused on tender number 2 of 2025/2026, claiming it was structured to favor a specific company or supplier for a two-year contract. He argued that Minister Mduduzi Matsebula should explain why the tender shouldn't be nullified and reissued in compliance with the Procurement Act.

The MP alleged that glitches occurred during the tender opening, violating Article 58 of the Procurement Act regulations. He claimed tenderers were called into a room one by one, contradicting the Act's spirit.

However, Minister Mduduzi Matsebula countered that the motion was misdirected. He clarified that the procurement process was handled by the Ministry of Finance's tender board, not the Ministry of Health. He further explained that a tender opening committee releases a report before the Ministry of Health evaluates the bids.

Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg corroborated Matsebula's statement. He stated that all bidders were present in one room when the tender board chairperson opened the bids, openly declaring each tenderer's name and bid amount. Rijkenberg asserted that the process followed regulations 100 percent.

He dismissed Dlamini's claim of individual room entries, stating that most of the 26 tenderers were present and it was an open tender process.

Following these explanations, Parliament did not pass Dlamini's motion, concluding that it was directed at the wrong ministry.

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