Education Minister wants urgent investigation into R1.6 billion textbook procurement scandal

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube has requested Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to initiate an investigation into alleged irregularities in the procurement of textbooks for South Africa’s foundation phase. The R1.6 billion contract was awarded to Lighthouse Publishers (Pty) Ltd, which received over a quarter of the approvals for publishing textbooks for Grade 1 to 3 pupils. Gwarube expressed serious concerns about the integrity of the procurement process, warning that any compromise could threaten the education of over 13.7 million learners.