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DA Unveils Bill to Replace BEE With Poverty-Based Procurement

The proposal challenges race-based preferences by tying public procurement to poverty measures under constitutional rules.

Overview

  • The Democratic Alliance launched the Economic Inclusion for All Bill, proposing amendments to the 2024 procurement law to replace race-based preferences with a poverty-focused framework.
  • The bill introduces a procurement scorecard weighted 80% to value for money and 20% to economic inclusion, with mandatory disqualification for bidders linked to fraud, corruption or misrepresentation.
  • Transitional provisions include a 12‑month wind‑down of the BEE Commission and a phased removal of BEE references across legislation.
  • The DA says it will table the bill in parliament and seek support from Government of National Unity partners, though the ANC has reiterated its backing for BEE.
  • Parallel legal action by the DA-led Western Cape challenging procurement rules is before the Constitutional Court, with a response deadline reported as 27 November.