DA calls for clarity on schools nutrition programme contract
The province will be going back to the old format feeding programme where schools are supplied by local business people.
After the termination of contract announcement made by Pacina Pty Ltd, the company tasked to provide food to KwaZulu-Natal schools through the National Schools Nutrition Programme (NSNP) amounting to R2.1 billion, the DA spokesperson in Education, Imran Keeka, has called for the MEC of Education, Mbali Frazer to come clean on how the contract was awarded.
The company announced its withdrawal from its contract after the matter of food provision to the schools has been topical, and service providers had voiced their dissatisfaction at the way the tender is being handled.
KZN’s NSNP has been marred by controversy with the recent massive crisis that saw millions of school children without a meal during the first week back at school this term. The meal provided through the NSNP is very often the only one that they receive the entire day and suddenly Pacina Pty Ltd decided to leave while there are many unanswered questions.
Keeka said the withdrawal by the company must also not stop any inquiry by the Special Investigations Unit into how this tender was awarded.
“Above all, there must be accountability for what ensued and those found culpable must face the might of the law. With the confirmation of the departure of this company, KZN’s Department of Education will have to scramble to fill the gap. The department may choose to revert to previous suppliers and the DA expects MEC Frazer to come clean over this.”
Keeka said an engagement was held on Tuesday in a bid to establish the education department’s plans going forward.
According to a KZN Department of Education announcement last week, the province will be going back to the old format feeding programme where schools are supplied by local business people who had no obligation where stock their stock – a decentralised system.
This announcement was issued in a memo and signed by the head of department, Nkosinathi Ngcobo, last Wednesday.
Keeka said this ANC-run provincial government cannot allow another situation where millions of young people starve, yet again, due to incompetence and alleged dishonesty when it comes to tender processes involving the NSNP.
“A government that causes millions of children to be deprived of their only meal for the day is uncaring, unethical and harmful and must not be re-elected,” he added.
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