Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube said on Tuesday that she has written to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, requesting an investigation into allegations of irregular textbook procurement.

A News24 media report revealed that publishing company Lighthouse Publishers had registered three days after the details of the contract were revealed. The contract specified the production of textbooks for learners in Grades 1 to 3 and learning materials, for the Department of Education. Lighthouse Publishers, which would stand to make over R285-million, has denied anything untoward in the procurement process.

Gwarube said the allegation were concerning and that she was seeking advice from Treasury before moving on the matter.

“At stake is the delivery of quality education materials to over 13.7-million 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,” she said.

As the legal custodian of legal compliance, Gwarube said, should Treasury’s investigation uncover wrongdoing, she promised to act on those implicated.

Meanwhile, ActionSA echoed calls for an investigation, warning that any corruption in the education sector undermined the quality of learning.

“ActionSA calls on the Department of Basic Education and National Treasury to move with urgency to establish the full facts and ensure there is no doubt that this contract was awarded lawfully, transparently and in the best interests of millions of learners,” it said.