Government suspends procurement activities over festive season
The government has shut down procurement over the festive season between December 12 and January 15, 2026 as it fears it may not get the required exposure to provide competitiveness in responses.
According to a circular sent last month by Eastern Cape provincial treasury head Daluhlanga Majeke, the last day for advertising of bids in the provincial tender bulletin was December 12 and the date for first publication will be January 16, 2026.
“Due to the looming closing period for December holidays, advertising of those bids may not necessarily provide for the required exposure in order to provide competitiveness in responses,” reads the circular.
Majeke also indicated that National Treasury regulations bids are advertised in at least the government tender bulletin for a minimum period of 21 days before closure, except in urgent cases when bids may be advertised for such shorter period as the accounting officer or accounting authority may determine.
He stated that awards are published in the government tender bulletin and other media by means of which the bids were advertised.
In KwaZulu-Natal, premier Thami Ntuli’s office also issued a circular advised that all provincial government departments officially close at 11:00 on Wednesday, December 24 for Christmas and on Wednesday, December 31 for New Year holidays, respectively.
”Please note that this is applicable to those employees who are present and working on these two days and does not apply to employees who have elected to take annual leave.
This is also not applicable to employees in essential services,” acting director-general S’bu Ngubane told the province’s public servants last week.
In October, Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) acting director-general Willie Vukela announced that the final meeting of Cabinet for 2025 was scheduled for December 3 and advised departments that all Cabinet memoranda not ready for tabling by November 26 will be deferred to the first Cabinet meeting in 2026.
“In view of the confidential and security-classified nature of Cabinet documentation, departments must retain all Cabinet memos not submitted to the DPSA by November 7 must instead be submitted in January 2026, thereby safeguarding the integrity and confidentiality of classified information in accordance with applicable legislative and procedural frameworks,” Vukela added.
He continued: “Departments are reminded to apply the Cabinet memo compliance checklist to ensure that all submissions meet the prescribed Cabinet standards and include the required documentation as outlined in the Executive Protocol: Principles and Procedures for the Employment of Heads of Department and Deputy Directors-General (nationally)”.
Vukela also warned that Cabinet memos that do not meet the required standards of quality, accuracy, or compliance will be returned to departments for correction and resubmission to the Ministry for the Public Service and Administration.
In addition, incomplete or late submissions may result in processing delays and extended timelines for Cabinet consideration.
loyiso.sidimb@inl.co.za