The procurement process, the blind screening strategy and the public-fall out between top officials in the Department of Basic Education (DBE) all raised eyebrows during a meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Tuesday.
Committee Chairperson Ms Joy Maimela said the committee was uncomfortable with the explanations it received and has resolved to refer the procurement process for the new national catalogue for Foundation Phase (Grades 1–3) to the Office of the Public Protector for a formal investigation.
This follows weeks of media allegations that procurement procedures may not have been followed in full compliance with the law, particularly after reports emerged that Lighthouse Publishing had been registered for only three months before securing what is considered a highly lucrative publishing contract.
The committee also noted that varying messages about the process undertaken were communicated by Minister Siviwe Gwarube; her Deputy, Dr Regina Mahule, and the DBE Director-General, Mr Mtanzima Mweli.
“One is saying this and the other one is saying that. Today they must provide clarity to this committee. Why did they mislead us? We want to know why the Minister, the Deputy Minister and the DG conduct themselves in a manner that causes so much harm to government, the sector and the department in dealing with such simple matters. Why do they show divisions, fragmentation and failure to understand the law of how to act on this matter?” asked committee member Mr Sedukanelo Louw. He called on the committee to refer the matter to the Office of the Public Protector for investigation.
Committee member Mr Siphetho Mkhize wanted to know the department’s reasoning behind awarding the tender to a company that had only been registered three months prior to the awarding of the tender, rather than a more experienced company.
The DBE explained that the process to develop the new catalogue started several years ago and the publishing industry was informed in 2020 about plans to introduce the new Foundation Phase catalogue. In 2024, the department issued a formal call for submissions.
Addressing allegations that Lighthouse Publishing lacked the experience and capacity to deliver on the contract, particularly due to its reported “relationship” with Class Act, the DBE informed the committee that it had received a communiqué from Class Act Educational Services clarifying its role and outlining the editorial and production capacity available to support the project.
The committee further heard that a new “blind screening” evaluation process had been implemented to ensure fairness. Under this system, evaluators assessed teaching and learning materials without knowledge of the authors or publishing houses involved, thereby reducing the possibility of bias. The committee was also informed that, for the previous catalogue, three publishing houses controlling seven titles had dominated the market.
Committee member Ms Lerato Ngobeni was not convinced by the presentation on the blind screening and wanted to know how free from bias a process like this can be, particularly in light of post-process concerns regarding the ownership structures of publishing houses, editorial partnerships and possibly indirect market consolidation. What safeguards exist to detect sophisticated forms of beneficial ownership before approval, she asked.
Minister Gwarube told the committee that while she is willing to account to the committee, she is still waiting for the internal audit report and to hear from National Treasury about the integrity of the process.
Committee member Ms Desiree van der Walt commended Minister Gwarube for proactively arranging for investigations into the process when concerns were raised.
Chairperson Maimela said: “We note and appreciate the utterances by the Minister that an internal investigation has been instituted. We had a robust engagement with the DBE on this very sensitive matter. However, the committee remains of the view that the matter should be referred for an independent investigation, including scrutiny of the executive authority. This is to ensure that we are satisfied that there was no political or administrative interference whatsoever.
“At this stage, the public is concerned. I am panicking as a parent, and I am panicking as a lawmaker, about whether there will be a textbook in the hands of every learner at the start of the school year,” said Ms Maimela.
She added that the committee’s referral to the Public Protector should also include concerns regarding the timely delivery of textbooks ahead of the start of the 2027 academic year in January.
The committee also resolved to refer concerns regarding the recruitment process of two officials in the department to the Public Service Commission for scrutiny, including the conduct of Minister Gwarube. The positions in question are those of Deputy Director-General: Curriculum Policy, Support and Monitoring, and Chief Director: Communications.
Rajaa Azzakani
15 May 2026
Arrange a tour