Nematangari.m@dbe.gov.za

Businesses and suppliers are advised to exercise caution regarding an email circulating that claims to originate from the Department of Basic Education requesting quotations for an unspecified procurement project.

The message invites service providers to assist with an “open tender opportunity” and instructs recipients to obtain pricing from another supplier and submit a quotation under their own company name. According to the email, the service provider does not need to operate within the industry or expertise related to the product being requested, but can simply source a supplier and provide pricing.

The email instructs suppliers to send quotations urgently to:

Email: Nematangari.m@dbe.gov.za

The communication lists the following contact details:

Name: Thato Mokoena

Department: Supply Chain Management

Telephone: +27 12 516 0468

Mobile: +27 74 532 5269

Identified Concerns

Several elements of the message may require verification:

The email states that any service provider can submit a quotation regardless of expertise, which is unusual for formal procurement processes.

Suppliers are encouraged to source a third-party supplier and submit pricing on behalf of their own company.

The request is marked urgent, encouraging immediate response.

No tender number, bid reference, or detailed procurement specification is provided in the message.

Government procurement opportunities are generally published through formal procurement systems and tender portals where documentation, evaluation criteria, and eligibility requirements are clearly defined.

Recommended Verification Steps

Before responding to such requests, suppliers should:

Confirm whether the procurement opportunity is listed on official government tender portals.

Verify contact details through the official website of the Department of Basic Education.

Avoid submitting sensitive company documentation or pricing information until the request has been verified.

Exercise caution when receiving unsolicited procurement requests marked as urgent.

Applying verification procedures helps protect businesses from procurement-related fraud and prevents the misuse of company documentation or financial information