SCH4801
ASSIGNMENT 3 2024
UNIQUE NO.248097
DUE DATE: 7 OCTOBER 2024
, SCH4801
Assignment 3 2024
Unique Number: 248097
Due Date: 7 October 2024
Supply Chain Management
SECTION A
QUESTION 1
1.1 Two public SCM challenges identified by the AI tool and confirmed by the
prescribed book
Challenge 1: Corruption and Fraud
One of the key challenges mentioned by the AI tool is corruption and fraud within the
South African public sector's supply chain. This issue, also highlighted in the prescribed
book, refers to unethical practices such as bribery, kickbacks, and collusion, which
undermine the integrity of procurement processes. Public sector corruption leads to
financial losses and affects service delivery. For example, according to an article by
News24, corruption in public procurement in South Africa, particularly in large
infrastructure projects, has been rampant. The lack of proper oversight allows fraudulent
activities to thrive, thereby affecting the overall performance of supply chain
management in the public sector (News24, 2023).
Challenge 2: Procurement Inefficiencies
Another challenge identified both by the AI tool and the prescribed book is the
inefficiency in public procurement processes. The public sector often deals with lengthy
and bureaucratic procedures, making the procurement process slow and prone to
delays. For instance, a report by The World Bank mentions that the South African public
procurement system is often hampered by slow bidding processes and a lack of