Supply chain: a service delivery enhancement or an impediment

Supply chain management in the Republic of South Africa is a cause for concern. The Auditor General South Africa, year in and year out, raises corruption fears emanating from supply chain. The Public Protector, Special Investigation Unit and National Prosecuting Authority also lamented government officials flouting supply chain procedures for their own enrichment. Supply chain management enhanced service delivery by procuring quality goods and services transparently and cost effectively. Paradoxically, often than not, the same supply chain is perceived to be actually halting service delivery because of the collusion between corrupt individuals in the system and those in the civil society and the private sector. Case studies employed drew primary and secondary data from documented sources to validate the argument whether supply chain enhanced or impeded service delivery and thus informed response mechanism and compelling conclusion. The study analysed supply chain case studies and determined at the end that supply chain enhanced service delivery, but impeded in the way it was implemented.