Probe into TVET supply chain

King Hintsa TVET College management has come under scrutiny after it allegedly outsourced its supply chain functions to another organisation without following proper processes.

It is claimed the Butterworth-based college sought the services of a purchasing organisation called Purco to “assist” with its supply chain process.

This included provision of a database of suppliers and capacitating of its functions.

Purco CEO Selvan Govender said the NPO was established by universities to assist them with supply chain and other functions. “We provide additional resources that we add to the capacity of universities and colleges. We are there to complement the activity of a college, not to take the job of anyone,” he said.

National Treasury directed the director-general of the department of higher education and training, Gwebinkundla Qonde, to initiate an investigation on January 5.

King Hintsa TVET College principal Noluthando Balfour denied that the college outsourced its supply chain functions to Purco. “We have an agreement of collaboration with Purco. We are tapping into their expertise in terms of making sure that our supply chain processes are risk-free.

“There is no manipulation in the processes done by the company,” she said.