On 2 September 2026, the Western Cape Education Department assured schools that Foundation Phase teaching would continue uninterrupted despite Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube suspending the new national Grades 1 to 3 textbook catalogue after an independent probe found governance weaknesses and procurement risks.
The investigation, prompted by a parliamentary referral to the Public Protector on 13 May 2026, identified material noncompliance and potential financial management risks in the catalogue process. Minister Gwarube paused ordering arrangements from the catalogue on 25 July 2026 while the forensic investigation and procurement compliance review continued.
Lukhanyo Vangqa, spokesperson for Minister Gwarube, told News24 that the probe had revealed serious concerns.
It identified material areas of noncompliance, governance weaknesses and potential procurement and financial management risks.
The Department of Basic Education, responding to a parliamentary question, stressed that the suspension was precautionary.
The pause protects provinces and the public purse while the relevant facts, records and processes are examined but does not amount to an adverse finding against any person or entity.
Western Cape MEC for Education Jaco Londt said the province had contingency plans to ensure classrooms remained supplied.
The WCED has plans in place to ensure that teaching and learning continue uninterrupted.
The existing catalogue of previously approved Foundation Phase materials will remain available for procurement for the 2027 academic year. Londt added that the WCED had expanded its pre-2026 catalogue to include decodable graded readers through its Back on Track programme, though this specific detail has not been independently confirmed by a second source.
The DBE confirmed that no final finding has been made that the catalogue process, any publisher, or any related contract is irregular or unlawful. Publishers had submitted materials for screening and possible inclusion in the Foundation Phase National Catalogue before the suspension took effect.
For schools across Cape Town and the Western Cape, the practical impact is minimal in the short term. Foundation Phase classrooms should continue receiving reading materials and literacy support while national procurement rules are tightened and the investigation runs its course.
What remains unclear is how long the forensic investigation will take and whether any publishers or officials will face formal findings. Cape Flats News journalist Ayesha Slamang will follow up on 16 September 2026 for updates from the DBE and the Public Protector’s office.