The City of Tshwane has officially launched a new e-Commerce and Procurement (e-CP) portal, a digital procurement platform aimed at modernising the metro’s supply chain management, reducing opportunities for corruption and ensuring better value for taxpayers’ money.

The system replaces many paper-based procurement processes with a fully digital platform that automates supplier registration, compliance checks and procurement workflows.

Speaking at the launch, Deputy Mayor and MMC for Finance, Eugene Modise, said the new coalition government inherited a municipality struggling with governance and administrative challenges.

He said procurement lies at the heart of municipal service delivery, but paper-based systems have contributed to unnecessary delays, inefficiencies and opportunities for interference.

According to Modise, the launch marks a major milestone in strengthening financial governance and ensuring every rand spent by the municipality is properly accounted for.

He said the system has been designed to embed governance into every stage of the procurement process through automated compliance controls and built-in oversight mechanisms.

Modise said every procurement transaction will leave a complete electronic audit trail, making it easier to monitor spending and significantly reducing opportunities for manipulation.

“There is a full audit trail for every aspect of the e-CP portal, including the automation of supplier verification and low-value procurement.”

He added that the system demonstrates the city’s commitment to modernising its supply chain management through structured digital transformation.

“This changes how public expenditure is initiated, controlled, monitored and accounted for across the municipality’s financial ecosystem.”

Before its official rollout, the system was piloted in four municipal departments to ensure it functioned effectively.

During his address, Modise also criticised opposition parties over recent claims that the city would be unable to pay employee salaries.

Modise said the city had honoured all its financial obligations, including paying staff salaries, while recording a budget surplus of more than R1.8-billion.

Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya described the launch as one of the city’s most significant governance reforms.

“This is far more than the launch of a new digital platform. It strengthens how the city procures goods and services, manages public resources and safeguards the interests of our residents.”

She said that every municipal service ultimately depends on an efficient procurement system.

“Every road resurfaced, every water pipe replaced, every clinic maintained, and every service delivered depends on a procurement system that is fair, transparent and efficient.”

Moya acknowledged that procurement weaknesses identified through audits and internal investigations have affected the municipality for several years.

She said these shortcomings had delayed infrastructure projects, increased costs, led to unnecessary litigation and weakened public confidence in the municipality.

“Restoring financial discipline requires more than stronger oversight. It requires stronger institutions supported by stronger systems.

“Every transaction is time-stamped, recorded and traceable from the initial requisition through to contract award and final payment.”

She said this creates a complete audit trail while limiting unnecessary manual intervention and making procurement decisions more transparent.

“Historically, procurement systems across the public sector have relied on fragmented processes, paper-based documentation and multiple points of manual intervention. Those conditions create opportunities for error, inconsistency and, in some cases, deliberate manipulation.”

Moya said modern public administration requires systems that strengthen governance rather than relying solely on individuals.

“Technology alone cannot eliminate corruption. Leadership matters. Professional ethics matter. Consequences for misconduct matter. However, well-designed systems reduce opportunities for abuse, improve transparency and strengthen accountability.”

She said protecting public funds remains one of the municipality’s most important responsibilities.

Moya added that the platform would also make it easier for legitimate businesses to do business with the city by simplifying supplier registration and creating a more accessible procurement environment.

“This is particularly important for small businesses, township enterprises, youth-owned businesses and women-owned businesses, whose success depends on transparent and competitive access to public procurement opportunities.”

She said the launch reflects the administration’s commitment to building stronger institutions by preventing governance failures before they occur.

“We are committed to strengthening internal controls before weaknesses become audit findings. We are committed to ensuring that governance is embedded in the design of our systems and not left to individual discretion.”

https://x.com/CityTshwane/status/2072588511849406945?s=20

The #SAPAriba platform ensures that accountability is embedded into every stage of the procurement lifecycle through automated controls, structured workflows, and real-time system validation. pic.twitter.com/51VNVlz1xW

— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) July 2, 2026

https://x.com/CityTshwane/status/2072583599811911797?s=20

The launch marks a significant milestone in the City’s digital transformation programme and demonstrates its commitment to modernising supply chain management through technology that promotes efficiency, transparency, accountability and improved service delivery. #SAPAriba pic.twitter.com/T53j78J2dl

— City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) July 2, 2026

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel