KZN Education unfazed by school nutrition programme rigging claims

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education says it is not alarmed by the circulating claims about the alleged rigging of the National School Nutrition Programme. This comes as Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka is under scrutiny over claims of irregularities and tender rigging within the department.

Hlomuka is alleged to have manipulated the bidding process of the R2.9 billion nutrition programme with the aim of benefiting a company he’s affiliated with.

KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, has requested Hlomuka to provide a comprehensive report regarding the matter.

Spokesperson for the provincial Department of Education Muzi Mahlambi says, “We can confirm that the MEC has received the letter from the premier, as the premier had promised that he was going to write to the MEC requesting him to give an explanation as to the allegations regarding the school nutrition programme or tender. The MEC has dealt with that letter accordingly. We are appealing to the public to give both the premier and the MEC the space to process the responses.”

Meanwhile, Mahlambi says the feeding programmes at schools have not been disturbed. He further explains that the awarding process for the tender in question has not been finalised.

“There was a stage of advertising, there was a stage of briefing. There was a stage of closing, there was a stage where we needed to advertise the attendance register – we did it. Now it is the stage where we have advertised publicly the intention to award so that we allow anyone who has issues to raise those issues. So, we have faith in the processes and the mechanism that the Treasury has put in place and dealing with such matters.”