More than 95% of KZN nutrition service providers were paid: Dept

The KwaZulu-Natal Education Department says it has paid more than 95% of National School Nutrition Programme service providers.

There are growing fears of the programme totally collapsing in the province due to non-payment of service providers.

The Service Provider Association previously said that only about 40% of its members had been paid and in some cases, they had received part payment.

KZN school food suppliers not paid: Muzi Mahlambi weighs in

The department’s spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi says they are addressing cases in which payment has not been made.

“The MEC wants 100% payment but he’s getting a briefing as to what could be the various reasons for non-payment. The reasons vary, it will be some invoices not being correct or some principals disputing some invoices with the suppliers.”

Mahlambi adds: “Then it will take time for the invoices to come to the office. But we are coming up with a mechanism to try and expedite such situations. But it varies from supplier to supplier.”