Katlego Sekhu
Business Live reports that the SA Police Service (SAPS) spent more than R400 million on seven new helicopters to combat crime; however, they have not been used for more than six months due to a lack of tactical radios, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The team discussed this story and invited listeners who are in procurement to share their insights on procurement processes.
According to a listener who worked in procurement, the responsibility of procuring items includes receiving clear specifications of what is needed. This listener suggests that whoever was in charge of buying the helicopters may not have properly fulfilled their duty.
On the other hand, another listener named Saraha, who is a procurement specialist, has pointed out that this situation may not be entirely attributed to procurement incompetence. Saraha explains that when dealing with Capital Expenditure (Capex), the funds used by a company to procure, maintain, or improve fixed assets, a project should be created with input from all stakeholders involved, including the end user, in this case, the pilots. The stakeholders should provide detailed information about what equipment and specifications are required for the helicopters.
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