Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube.

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has written to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to ask that the National Treasury investigate possible irregularities in the procurement process for textbooks for Grade 1-3 pupils.

On Tuesday, News24 reported that publishing company Lighthouse Publishers (Pty) Ltd, which stood to make more than R285 million producing textbooks and learning and teaching support materials for the Department of Basic Education, was registered three days after the contract specifications were issued.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Gwarube said the allegations were “gravely concerning” and added that “at stake is the delivery of quality education materials to learners across South Africa”.

“Any compromise in the integrity of textbook procurement directly threatens the ability of the education system to function effectively and undermines the constitutional right of every child to access basic education.”

More to follow.

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