KZN R2 billion school nutrition tender being probed

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The Basic Education Department says it will terminate the KwaZulu-Natal school nutrition programme tender should any irregularity be established in the awarding of the tender. Recently, the department appointed a single service provider to handle the over R2 billion school nutrition program.

Learners in over 5 000 schools in the province were affected after food was not delivered to schools. The National Department has launched its own investigation into the programme in KwaZulu-Natal following reports that feeding in some schools was not taking place and in some inadequate food was supplied.

Schools in different districts in the province are still reporting that they have not received enough food. Some say they have not received any food since schools opened after the Easter break.

The learners rely on the government feeding scheme, the National Schools Nutrition Programme to get a meal.

Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga has written to KZN MEC Mbali Frazer, demanding answers on all documents related to the tender.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has confirmed in a statement that it had received allegations pertaining to an irregular tender award made to Pacina Retail Pty Ltd.

“The DA welcomes the SIU’s intention to probe the awarding of the contract around which there’s significant speculation of possible dodgy deals. We believe that the announcement of the probes by the premier and the minister will come a little too late given that the tender processes started a long time ago,” says Imran Keeka of the DA Education Constituency in KZN.

The IFP has called on the Premier to conduct a full investigation in seven days.

“To this end, the IFP caucus in the KwaZulu-Natal legislature calls upon the government of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal to immediately terminate this so-called NSNP tender. Reinstate the previous NSNP service providers with immediate effect whilst sorting out the mess of the tender,” says IFP President Velenkosini Hlabisa.

The African National Congress (ANC) has welcomed the National Department of Basic Education’s comprehensive investigation on this concerning matter.