South Africa’s new Public Procurement Act is drawing criticism even before full implementation, with concerns raised about its practicality and potential to exacerbate existing issues. Civil servants are reportedly struggling to understand and navigate the complex new system and its accompanying draft regulations. Critics argue the Act is costly, unwieldy, and ultimately unworkable in its current form. These concerns suggest the legislation, intended to address procurement abuses, may inadvertently create new opportunities for them. The Act’s complexity is a central issue, hindering effective implementation and potentially undermining its goals. The legislation aims to overhaul South Africa’s public procurement processes, but its current design is prompting doubts about its success.