The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has demanded that the Education Department pay service providers as thousands of learners go hungry at schools.
[WATCH] The Gauteng Education Department has admitted it has no money to pay companies that supply food for schoolchildren, blaming the shortfall on the influx of learners into the province. SABC News Reporter Calvin Dludla has the latest update. pic.twitter.com/Erj048rKPV
— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 1, 2025
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Education, Sergio Isa Dos Santos says thousands of learners are forced to be taught on empty stomachs due to non-payment of service providers involved in the National School Nutrition Programme.
He says affected learners are from nine schools in Thembisa and Ivory Park.
“This is not administrative negligence it is a moral failure that exposes MEC Chiloane and Premier Lesufi’s lack of leadership. Despite his promises to fight hunger in Gauteng, service providers have revealed chaos in the department. The DA demands urgent payment to all providers and a forensic investigation to all tender process.”
VIDEO | Gauteng schools face crisis due to funding shortage:
