Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Corruption affects the lives of everyone in South Africa and can thus be characterised as a common enemy. Fraud and corruption especially in the procurement systems is one of the major contributors of annual losses the Western Cape Provincial Government incurs. Since the introduction of computerised procurement systems, also known as e-procurement, the occurrence of fraud and corruption has substantially increased as soon as individuals familiarize themselves with the system. The Western Cape Provincial Government will save a huge amount of money if fraud and corruption could be prevented and limited. These funds could be put to better use and result to better service delivery. The Government has therefore developed many policies and strategies to try to combat and prevent corruption in procurement both in the public and private sector. This study examines the perceptions of key stakeholders on the appropriateness of the strategies in place to prevent fraud and corruption in the provincial procurement system by particularly looking at the achievements and limitations that have been experienced. The focal point is the Western Cape Provincial Treasury since they are currently the owners of the computerised procurement system. The study also includes an assessment of the role of the Western Cape Provincial Treasury in general in fighting fraud and corruption in public procurement. The research methods utilised include a comprehensive review of documentation published by the provincial government with regard to fraud and corruption as well as perceptions of key stakeholders on the appropriateness of anti-corruption policies and strategies in the Western Cape Provincial Government. Government has, in its commitment to fight corruption, established various anti-corruption agencies, developed a number of programmes and introduced numerous legislative frameworks. The Western Cape Government in particular has developed a transversal Anti-corruption Strategy to provide a framework within which to combat fraud, corruption and theft in the province. All provincial departments are encouraged to maintain a zerotolerance against corruption by developing and implementing a Fraud and Corruption policy within their various departments. The proper implementation of the anti-corruption policy is imperative for the prevention of fraud and corruption. Western Cape Provincial Treasury, as the custodian of the LOGIS procurement system in the Western Cape, plays a vital role in promoting compliance to relevant legislation by implementing anti-corruption strategies. It is apparent that different anti-corruption strategies to control and manage fraud and corruption in procurement do exist, but its appropriateness differs from department to department. Anti-corruption strategies will only be successful when it eliminates the occurrence of fraud and when perpetrators are caught and executed. Management should play a vital role in identifying and combating corruption in departments. Employees should be made aware of the consequences if they should commit any fraudulent acts. Furthermore, all officials should be encouraged to report any fraudulent incidents. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Korrupsie beïnvloed die lewens van almal in Suid-Afrika en kan dus gedefinieer word as 'n gemeenskaplike vyand. Bedrog en korrupsie, veral in die verkryging stelsels is een van die grootste bydraers van die jaarlikse verliese die wat die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Regering aangaan. Sedert die bekendstelling van die gerekenariseerde verkryging stelsels, ook bekend as e-verkryging, het die voorkoms van bedrog en korrupsie aansienlik verhoog sodra individue hulself vertroud maak met die stelsel. Die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Regering sal 'n groot bedrae geld bespaar as bedrog en korrupsie voorkom en beperk kan word. Hierdie fondse kan op op sy beurt beter aangewend word en kan tot beter dienslewering lei. Die Regering het baie beleide en strategieë ontwikkel om korrupsie te probeer verhoed en te bestry - beide in die openbare en private sektor. Hierdie studie ondersoek die persepsies van belanghebbendes oor die toepaslikheid van die strategieë om bedrog en korrupsie in die provinsiale verkryging stelsel te voorkom deur veral te kyk na die prestasies en beperkings wat ondervind is. Die fokuspunt is die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Tesourie, aangesien hulle tans die eienaars van die gerekenariseerde verkryging stelsel is. Die studie sluit ook 'n evaluering van die rol wat die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Tesourie speel om bedrog en korrupsie in die openbare verkryging stelsel te voorkom. Die navorsingsmetodes wat gebruik is sluit in ‘n omvattende opname van die dokumentasie wat deur die provinsiale regering gepubliseer is met betrekking tot bedrog en korrupsie asook persepsies van belanghebbendes oor die toepaslikheid van anti-korrupsie beleide en strategieë in die Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Regering. In sy verbintenis om korrupsie te beveg, het die regering verskeie anti-korrupsie agentskappe ingestel, 'n aantal programme ontwikkel en talle wetgewende raamwerke bekend gestel. Die Wes-Kaapse regering het in die besonder 'n dwarsleggende Anti-korrupsie strategie ontwikkel om 'n raamwerk te voorsien waarbinne bedrog, korrupsie en diefstal in die provinsie bekamp kan word. Alle provinsiale departemente word aangemoedig om 'n “zero tolerance” teen korrupsie te handhaaf deur die ontwikkeling en implementering van 'n bedrog en korrupsie beleid binne hul onderskeie departemente. Die behoorlike implementering van die anti-korrupsie beleid is noodsaaklik vir die voorkoming van bedrog en korrupsie. Wes-Kaapse Provinsiale Tesourie, as die bewaarder van die LOGIS verkryging stelsel in die Wes-Kaap, speel 'n belangrike rol in die voldoening aan toepaslike wetgewing deur die implementering van anti-korrupsie strategieë. Dit is duidelik dat verskillende anti-korrupsie strategieë om bedrog en korrupsie te beheer en te voorkom wel bestaan, maar die toepaslikheid verskil van departement tot departement. Anti-korrupsie strategieë sal slegs suksesvol wees wanneer dit die voorkoms van bedrog elimineer en wanneer oortreders gevang en tereggestel word. Bestuur moet 'n belangrike rol speel in die identifisering en die bekamping van korrupsie in departemente. Werknemers moet bewus gemaak word van die gevolge indien hulle enige bedrieglike dade pleeg. Verder moet alle amptenare aangemoedig word om enige bedrieglike voorvalle aan te meld.

University of Macau / Faculty of Social Sciences. / Department of Government and Public Administration

Nesta pesquisa objetivou-se analisar a percepção dos gestores do processo licitatório, dos Câmpus Dois Vizinhos, Francisco Beltrão e Pato Branco da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná sobre as licitações e a contribuição destas para a promoção do desenvolvimento sustentável. Para o tratamento dos dados, fundamentou-se no suporte metodológico da análise de conteúdo e dentre o conjunto de técnicas sistematizadas pelo referido método, utilizou-se da análise por categorias. Os dados foram coletados por meio de questionário de evocação livre, constituído de uma questão de evocação livre e duas questões dissertativas e entrevistas semiestruturadas, ambos aplicados de forma homogênea aos três segmentos respondentes, que incluiu pregoeiros, diretores de planejamento e administração e diretores gerais do locus da pesquisa. Concluiu-se que, de maneira geral, o processo de implementação das licitações sustentáveis ainda é incipiente no locus da pesquisa, o que enseja uma considerável evolução, tanto por parte da Instituição quanto do mercado fornecedor, de forma a garantir a competitividade, fator imprescindível ao processo licitatório. Ademais, percebe-se que a mudança deste cenário ocorrerá de forma gradativa e a longo prazo, demandando que algumas barreiras sejam transpostas, especialmente a barreira informacional, que pode ser superada através da capacitação continuada, pois o que se verifica é que não há resistência na implementação, há falta de conhecimento e familiaridade concernente à toda temática que envolve as licitações sustentáveis. Verificou-se ainda que a legislação foi o aspecto considerado mais importante pelos gestores para traduzir a licitação, seguida da economicidade, da transparência e do planejamento. Deste modo, fica evidente a importância atribuída aos aspectos convencionais e concomitantemente, a ausência de qualquer inferência que remeta à promoção do desenvolvimento sustentável ou a inserção de critérios socioambientais, muito embora referida finalidade conste expressamente do artigo 3° da Lei Geral de Licitações. Assim sendo, conclui-se que a referida inserção, promovida pela Lei n°. 12.349/2012, que tornou a promoção do desenvolvimento sustentável uma obrigação à todos os gestores públicos não foi suficiente para a efetiva inserção de critérios socioambientais nos editais licitatórios. / The objective of this research was to analyze the perceptions of the bidding process managers, Campi of Dois Vizinhos, Francisco Beltrão and Pato Branco of the University Techonological Federal of Paraná on bidding and their contribution to the promotion of sustainable development. For the data analysis, it was based on the methodological support of the content analysis and among the set of techniques systematized by the referred method, it was used of the analysis by categories. Data were collected through a free evocation questionnaire, consisting of a free evocation question and two writing questions and semi-structured interviews, both of which were homogeneously applied to the three respondent segments, which included pregoers, planning and administration directors and general directors of the research locus. It was concluded that, in general, the process of implementation of sustainable bids is still incipient in the research locus, which leads to considerable evolution, both by the Institution and the supplier market, in order to guarantee competitiveness, an essential factor to the bidding process. In addition, it is perceived that the change of this scenario will occur gradually and in the long term, demanding that some barriers be transposed, especially the informational barrier, that can be overcome through the continuous training, since what is verified is that there is no resistance in the implementation, there is a lack of knowledge and familiarity regarding the whole theme that involves sustainable biddings. It was also verified that the legislation was the aspect considered most important by the managers to translate the bid, followed by the economical, the transparency and the planning. In this way, the importance attributed to conventional aspects and the absence of any inference referring to the promotion of sustainable development or the insertion of socio-environmental criteria is evident, although this purpose is expressly stated in Article 3 of the General Law on Tenders. Therefore, it is concluded that referred insertion, promoted by Law no. 12,349 / 2012, which made the promotion of sustainable development an obligation for all public managers was not enough for the effective insertion of socio-environmental criteria in the bidding documents.

O objetivo geral deste estudo é analisar a implementação das compras públicas sustentáveis nas universidades federais brasileiras. A pesquisa é aplicada quanto a sua finalidade e exploratória e descritiva quanto aos seus objetivos gerais. A abordagem utilizada é tanto qualitativa quanto quantitativa e a pesquisa contempla a utilização de métodos múltiplos de investigação. A etapa qualitativa exploratória foi operacionalizada por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas realizadas com gestores da área de compras de duas universidades federais. As informações coletadas foram tratadas mediante a aplicação de técnicas de análise de conteúdo. A etapa quantitativa consistiu na aplicação de levantamento tipo survey, com emprego de questionário estruturado, em toda a população que compreende 59 universidades federais do Brasil. Os dados coletados em 37 questionários válidos receberam tratamento estatístico, envolvendo estatística descritiva e cálculo de correlação. Os principais achados indicam que: a implementação das compras sustentáveis nas universidades federais se encontra num estágio inicial e embrionário e que não existe uma política de compra sustentável claramente definida no âmbito da maioria das instituições. As ações são pontuais e não ocorrem de forma estratégica e planejada, e constituem tentativas de adequação às demandas normativas, motivadas pelas alterações legais, especialmente o estabelecimento da Instrução Normativa nº 01/2010-MPOG/SLTI, considerada o principal mecanismo que incitou a adoção da prática na esfera federal, bem como pelas deliberações e exigências dos órgãos de controle. Os critérios de sustentabilidade mais utilizados são, prioritariamente, aqueles determinados e ordenados na legislação e a utilização de critérios é predominante nas contratações envolvendo obras e serviços e engenharia, devido a maior exigência e respaldo legal. A oferta atual de produtos e serviços sustentáveis, os custos envolvidos, a pouca informação e conhecimento, a cultura organizacional e a falta de capacitação e treinamento dos envolvidos estão entre as principais barreiras identificadas. Há poucos resultados e impactos decorrentes da implementação das compras sustentáveis percebidos pelos gestores no âmbito das universidades e não é realizado o acompanhamento sistemático dos resultados. / The goal of this study is to analyze the implementation of Sustainable Public Procurement in the Brazilian federal universities. The research is applied as its purpose and exploratory and descriptive as to their overall goals. The approach is both qualitative and quantitative research and contemplates the use of multiple methods of investigation. The exploratory qualitative phase was operationalized through semi-structured interviews conducted with managers of the purchases area of two federal universities. The data were treated by applying techniques of content analysis. The quantitative phase consisted in an survey, with the application of a structured questionnaire across the population which comprises 59 federal universities in Brazil. Data collected on 37 valid questionnaires received statistical treatment involving descriptive statistics and correlation calculation. Key findings indicate that: the implementation of sustainable procurement in the federal universities is at an early stage and embryo and that there is not a policy of purchase sustainable clearly defined under most institutions. Actions are specific and do not occur in a strategic and planned level, and are attempts to adapt to the demands normative, motivated by legal changes, especially the establishment of Instruction 01/2010-MPOG/SLTI, considered the main mechanism that prompted the adoption of practice at the federal level and by the decisions and demands of controlling bodies. The most widely used sustainability criteria are primarily those determined and ordered in legislation and the use of criteria is prevalent in contracts involving works and services and engineering, due to higher demand and legal support. The current supply of sustainable products and services, the costs involved, the little information and knowledge, organizational culture and lack of capacity building and training of those involved are among the main barriers identified. A few results and impacts of the implementation of sustainable procurement perceived within universities and is not conducted systematic monitoring of results.

As contratações públicas têm por finalidade a promoção do desenvolvimento nacional sustentável, o qual deve ser economicamente viável, socialmente justo e, ambientalmente correto. E, que na dimensão jurídica afigura-se como um princípio constitucional, o que impõe ao Estado, como relevante ator no processo de desenvolvimento, atuar na formulação e implementação de políticas públicas para sua concretização, o que ressalta a dimensão política da sustentabilidade. A arquitetura jurídica brasileira, alinhada com o preconizado pela Agenda 21, contempla o uso do poder de compra governamental para moldar o padrão de consumo e produção aos ditames da sustentabilidade, pela inserção de critérios em suas contratações, capazes de promovê-la. Esta dissertação tem por objetivo averiguar a implementação da política pública de contratações sustentáveis, pela Administração Pública Federal direta, autárquica e fundacional (integrantes do SISG), nos exercícios de 2011 e 2012. A pesquisa é aplicada, exploratória, com emprego de dados secundários, coletados por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, com a técnica de análise qualitativa. Como resultado, verificou-se que ainda são pouco significativas, as contratações sustentáveis, diante do montante total das contratações realizadas no período. Foi possível constatar que, mesmo de cunho impositivo, como regra, as contratações sustentáveis estão em uma fase muito incipiente e focada na vertente ambiental. Recomenda-se para trabalhos futuros, estudos sobre o aprimoramento dos critérios de sustentabilidade, a definição da inserção desses critérios de forma válida nos atos convocatórios e nos contratos, o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia de avaliação da sustentabilidade, bem como de capacitação para os agentes públicos envolvidos nas contratações em todos os níveis da federação. / The public procurements aim the promotion of sustainable national development, which must be economically viable, socially just and environmentally correct. And in the legal dimension, it appears as a constitutional principle, which requires the State, as relevant actor in the development process, acting in the formulation and implementation of public policies for their achievement, which underscores the political dimension of sustainability. The Brazilian legal architecture, aligned with the recommendations of Agenda 21, contemplates the use of government purchasing power to shape the pattern of consumption and production to the dictates of sustainability, by inserting in their procurements, criteria able to promote it. This dissertation aims to investigate the implementation of public policy for sustainable signings by the Federal Public Administration Direct federal public administration, autonomous agencies and foundations (members of SISG) in the years 2011 and 2012. The research is applied, exploratory, employing secondary data collected through literature and documents, the technique of qualitative analysis. As a result, it was found that the sustainable signings are still minor, comparing to the total amount of signings in the period. It was possible do find out that, even being mandatory, in general, the sustainable signings are in a very early stage and focused on environmental aspects. It was recommended for future work, studies on the improvement of the sustainability criteria, the definition of the insertion of these criteria validly in call for bid sand contracts, the development of a methodology to analyze the sustainability as well as training for public servants involved in hiring at all levels of the federation.

As contratações públicas têm por finalidade a promoção do desenvolvimento nacional sustentável, o qual deve ser economicamente viável, socialmente justo e, ambientalmente correto. E, que na dimensão jurídica afigura-se como um princípio constitucional, o que impõe ao Estado, como relevante ator no processo de desenvolvimento, atuar na formulação e implementação de políticas públicas para sua concretização, o que ressalta a dimensão política da sustentabilidade. A arquitetura jurídica brasileira, alinhada com o preconizado pela Agenda 21, contempla o uso do poder de compra governamental para moldar o padrão de consumo e produção aos ditames da sustentabilidade, pela inserção de critérios em suas contratações, capazes de promovê-la. Esta dissertação tem por objetivo averiguar a implementação da política pública de contratações sustentáveis, pela Administração Pública Federal direta, autárquica e fundacional (integrantes do SISG), nos exercícios de 2011 e 2012. A pesquisa é aplicada, exploratória, com emprego de dados secundários, coletados por meio de pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, com a técnica de análise qualitativa. Como resultado, verificou-se que ainda são pouco significativas, as contratações sustentáveis, diante do montante total das contratações realizadas no período. Foi possível constatar que, mesmo de cunho impositivo, como regra, as contratações sustentáveis estão em uma fase muito incipiente e focada na vertente ambiental. Recomenda-se para trabalhos futuros, estudos sobre o aprimoramento dos critérios de sustentabilidade, a definição da inserção desses critérios de forma válida nos atos convocatórios e nos contratos, o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia de avaliação da sustentabilidade, bem como de capacitação para os agentes públicos envolvidos nas contratações em todos os níveis da federação. / The public procurements aim the promotion of sustainable national development, which must be economically viable, socially just and environmentally correct. And in the legal dimension, it appears as a constitutional principle, which requires the State, as relevant actor in the development process, acting in the formulation and implementation of public policies for their achievement, which underscores the political dimension of sustainability. The Brazilian legal architecture, aligned with the recommendations of Agenda 21, contemplates the use of government purchasing power to shape the pattern of consumption and production to the dictates of sustainability, by inserting in their procurements, criteria able to promote it. This dissertation aims to investigate the implementation of public policy for sustainable signings by the Federal Public Administration Direct federal public administration, autonomous agencies and foundations (members of SISG) in the years 2011 and 2012. The research is applied, exploratory, employing secondary data collected through literature and documents, the technique of qualitative analysis. As a result, it was found that the sustainable signings are still minor, comparing to the total amount of signings in the period. It was possible do find out that, even being mandatory, in general, the sustainable signings are in a very early stage and focused on environmental aspects. It was recommended for future work, studies on the improvement of the sustainability criteria, the definition of the insertion of these criteria validly in call for bid sand contracts, the development of a methodology to analyze the sustainability as well as training for public servants involved in hiring at all levels of the federation.

The purpose of this study is to explore procurement practices employed within the commuter bus industry in Gauteng. The contemporary procurement practices employed within the commuter bus industry in Gauteng have propagated a number of challenges for this industry, including a deficit in the allocated funds and a lack of coordinated relationship between the relevant stakeholders. This study is both descriptive and exploratory in nature and employed a mixed-method research approach to collect the research data. The data was collected from a sample of 18 respondents who are key stakeholders directly involved in the procurement of subsidised commuter bus services in Gauteng by means of a face-to-face interview using a semi-structured questionnaire. The findings of the study revealed that there are three types of procurement practices employed within the commuter bus industry, namely, interim, negotiated and tender contracts. However, all these contracts are now outdated, due to the complex implementation of the policies guiding procurement. The study also revealed that there are minimal contributions towards the socio-economic objectives within the commuter bus industry. This has led to uncoordinated relations between the government officials and the subsidised commuter bus operators. Furthermore, there are challenges hindering effective procurement in the commuter bus industry, such as under-funding, fronting activities, frequent reshuffling of transport personnel and inconstant allocation of funds. The study also noted differences in the application of procurement practices between the government officials and the subsidised commuter bus operators, in terms of the industry’s contribution towards socio-economic objectives, policies and regulations, relationship and the challenges faced within the industry. Efficient procurement practices can contribute significantly to the commuter bus industry, especially towards job creation and economic growth. The study concludes with a recommended framework for enhancing the procurement practices of the commuter bus services in Gauteng. / Economics / M. Com. (Transport Economics)

Environmental degradation is a global challenge that affects all. One of the most prominent impacts of environmental degradation is the climate change phenomenon. The adverse impacts of climate change have given rise to responses aimed at retarding, halting and learning to live with the already present effects of climate change. These responses to climate change fall into two broad categories: mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation addresses the climate change challenge through seeking a reduction or elimination of anthropogenic generated greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Adaptation on the other hand addresses climate change through reducing the adverse impacts of climate change as well as exploiting economic and social opportunities presented by climate change. Green procurement has been identified as one of the climate change intervention measures. This is because research shows that procurement policies and practices of both the public and private sectors have the potential to influence environmentally friendly modes of production and the provision of ‘greener’ goods and services that include infrastructure. In many developing countries the big spending power of the public sector, particularly municipalities, makes them influential players in the nature of goods and services production and provision. Against this background, this study investigates the role of South African metropolitan municipalities in addressing environmental decay through green procurement. Specifically, the study aims to assess the levels of green procurement practices of goods and services within South Africa metropolitan municipalities. This is achieved through; (i) determining the level of understanding of sustainable development, and (ii) determining the extent to which green procurement is practiced in South African metropolitan municipalities, and identifying policy and legislative requirements (if any) that support green procurement practices. Given the complexity of means, policy and practices around the green procurement drive; the study employed a mixed method approach. The mixed method approach employed three methods namely: document analysis, interviews and the use of a questionnaire. Analysis of data included content analysis, inductive thematic analysis and basic numerical analysis of the questionnaire, using MS Excel. The study made two broad findings; (i) there is generally a good understanding of the sustainable development discourse among South Africa’s metropolitan officials; and (ii) policy response to green procurement shows that the older metropolitans that include the City of Cape Town, City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, eThekwini and Nelson Mandela Bay have made greater progress making explicit reference to green procurement in different policies compared to the younger metropolitans such as Buffalo City and Mangaung. Despite the general understanding of the sustainable development discourse and evidence of explicit reference to green procurement in some metropolitan policy documents there is a general lack of comprehensive implementation of green procurement practices across all the metropolitan municipalities. The current implementation is sporadic and largely through a number of projects that are not always linked to give rise to effective synergies. The study concludes that there is limited implementation of green procurement policies and strategies in all metropolitans. This may be attributed to limited policy understanding and lack of education and training around green economy transition and green procurement issues. The study recommends the mainstreaming of the green procurement concept into already existing policies and to establish new policies where there are none. There is a need to translate the policies into legislation and regulations that carry incentive to reward and encourage the desired green procurement practices. There is further need to put in place sanctions to discourage and halt undesired procurement practices. / Environmental Sciences / D. Litt. et Phil. (Environmental Management)

Environmental degradation is a global challenge that affects all. One of the most prominent impacts of environmental degradation is the climate change phenomenon. The adverse impacts of climate change have given rise to responses aimed at retarding, halting and learning to live with the already present effects of climate change. These responses to climate change fall into two broad categories: mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation addresses the climate change challenge through seeking a reduction or elimination of anthropogenic generated greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Adaptation on the other hand addresses climate change through reducing the adverse impacts of climate change as well as exploiting economic and social opportunities presented by climate change. Green procurement has been identified as one of the climate change intervention measures. This is because research shows that procurement policies and practices of both the public and private sectors have the potential to influence environmentally friendly modes of production and the provision of ‘greener’ goods and services that include infrastructure. In many developing countries the big spending power of the public sector, particularly municipalities, makes them influential players in the nature of goods and services production and provision. Against this background, this study investigates the role of South African metropolitan municipalities in addressing environmental decay through green procurement. Specifically, the study aims to assess the levels of green procurement practices of goods and services within South Africa metropolitan municipalities. This is achieved through; (i) determining the level of understanding of sustainable development, and (ii) determining the extent to which green procurement is practiced in South African metropolitan municipalities, and identifying policy and legislative requirements (if any) that support green procurement practices. Given the complexity of means, policy and practices around the green procurement drive; the study employed a mixed method approach. The mixed method approach employed three methods namely: document analysis, interviews and the use of a questionnaire. Analysis of data included content analysis, inductive thematic analysis and basic numerical analysis of the questionnaire, using MS Excel. The study made two broad findings; (i) there is generally a good understanding of the sustainable development discourse among South Africa’s metropolitan officials; and (ii) policy response to green procurement shows that the older metropolitans that include the City of Cape Town, City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, eThekwini and Nelson Mandela Bay have made greater progress making explicit reference to green procurement in different policies compared to the younger metropolitans such as Buffalo City and Mangaung. Despite the general understanding of the sustainable development discourse and evidence of explicit reference to green procurement in some metropolitan policy documents there is a general lack of comprehensive implementation of green procurement practices across all the metropolitan municipalities. The current implementation is sporadic and largely through a number of projects that are not always linked to give rise to effective synergies. The study concludes that there is limited implementation of green procurement policies and strategies in all metropolitans. This may be attributed to limited policy understanding and lack of education and training around green economy transition and green procurement issues. The study recommends the mainstreaming of the green procurement concept into already existing policies and to establish new policies where there are none. There is a need to translate the policies into legislation and regulations that carry incentive to reward and encourage the desired green procurement practices. There is further need to put in place sanctions to discourage and halt undesired procurement practices. / Environmental Sciences / D. Litt. et Phil. (Environmental Management)

The South African Schools Act (Act 84 of 1996) stipulates that the State must fund all the public schools from the public revenue on an equitable basis. Each school should elect a School Governing Body (SGB) whose primary function is to manage school finances. The principal of the school, who is also a member of the SGB, is the accounting officer. The SGB has to elect the finance committee which should run the school’s finances and, in turn elects the procurement committee - a sub-committee of the finance committee. In terms of the South African Schools Act, (Act 84 of 1998, as amended) there are two categories of public schools which may be created in South Africa. One category is based on Section 20 of the South Africa Schools Act with stipulated functions applicable to all public schools, while the other category is based on Section 21 of the Act which includes added stipulated functions above those applicable to all public schools. The study investigated the factors affecting the performance of procurement committees in schools. Among others, the study found that more formal training on financial management was necessary in schools in order to empower the procurement committees. Inadequate support with regard to the availability of supporting documentation and logistics was also raised as a matter of concern.