This article explores current issue pertaining to the 2020 global health and economic crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic which necessitated that the World Health Organisations agitate for relevant actions to be taken by national governments globally to fend for the health provisions of their citizenry. The burden of the state during this period had not only been limited to health provisions such as the personal protective equipment (PPEs) but included the escalation in the provision of basic service beyond the norm of water, sanitation and electricity but to support households that had lost income as economies buckle under COVID-19 lockdown regulations. In South Africa, the government invoked the Disaster Management Act, 57 of 2002 to exercise lockdown regulations and re-allocate state budgets to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings show apparent shortcomings in public service procurement on the delivery of basic servic