
Govt to review school feeding scheme programme amid 'irregularities' in KZN
This in an effort to ensure there are no irregularities and that pupils get quality food.
Shortly after she took office, Gwarube put the school feeding scheme contract, worth almost R10 billion, on hold.
"Since I have been in office, I have been in the process of reviewing the national school nutrition programme and also seeing how it is administered," she said.
Gwarube slammed the spending of funds allocated for the nutrition programme on anything other than its purpose.
Recent allegations of corruption in KZN have also made front-page news.
The minister argues that it cannot be that there should be no scenario where children are not school nutrition.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The Star
15 hours ago
- The Star
'The police don't work!' Really? Let's weigh critique against evidence
Thabo Moetji | Published 5 days ago This pejorative chorus echoes from certain corners of society, often lacking context and driven by subjective, biased, and unfair characterisations. These claims, often border on disinformation- and they do a disservice to apparent facts. A simple search reveals the staggering reality: South Africa's correctional centres are critically overcrowded. As of early 2025, approximately 167,300 inmates are housed in facilities built for just 107,346 - an excess of about 60,000 individuals, resulting in an overcrowding rate of 56%. These aren't minor offenders- they include murderers, rapists, hijackers, and other hardened criminals. Let it be made abundantly clear: these inmates did not walk into custody voluntarily. Complex SAPS intelligence-led driven investigations - were coordinated by diligent, dedicated, hardworking men and women in blue, to bring about watertight cases resulting in these convictions. For instance – just recently, we have witnessed no less than noteworthy – prominent cases being brought before courts – whose outcomes were severe convictions – while others are still awaiting trials and sentences – among them they includes: Sibusiso Ncengwa, convicted for the murder of Sindiso Magaqa, was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment by the Pietermaritzburg High Court on 7 July 2025. His co-accused, Sbonelo Myeza and Mbulelo Mpofana, will face trial in October 2025. Six suspects were arrested in connection with the murder of Kiernan 'AKA' Forbes and Tebello 'Tibz' Motsoane, executed in Durban on 10 February 2023. Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala, a Pretoria-based tenderpreneur, was also arrested in May 2025 following a high-profile investigation. He faces charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and money laundering, all linked to a botched hit on actress Tebogo Thobejane. But that's just the surface. His company, Medicare24, cancelled by the National Commissioner of Police Fannie Masemola upon realizing that there was something untoward – when it was controversially awarded a R360 million health services tender. In July 2025, four suspects - including alleged mastermind KT Molefe and former police detective Michael Tau - were arrested for the murder of DJ Sumbody, gunned down in Woodmead in November 2022. Firearms recovered from the scene are linked to ten other high-profile cases. Meanwhile, SAPS commercial crime investigators made significant strides: At least 12 Eskom employees were arrested for corruption-related offences in 2024/25, working with NAT JOINTS and internal security teams. Eight Transnet-linked individuals, including former executives, were arrested between July 2024 and June 2025: Brian Molefe, Siyabonga Gama, Anoj Singh, and Thamsanqa Jiyane - for a R93 million locomotive tender fraud. Zakhele Lebelo and Phathutshedzo Mashamba - for R10 million in kickbacks. Garry Pita - for irregular payments in the broader procurement scandal. These breakthroughs stem from meticulous investigations into state capture-era contracts - proof that the system works when led and given the support it deserves. We are witnessing progress within state-owned entities - locomotives are transporting people and goods to their various destinations; the restoration of Eskom has brought a halt to loadshedding – whose impact have severely devastated the economy, and energy is fuelling optimism and economic momentum. While internal controls by various state owned entities deserve recognition, we must not overlook the crucial role of SAPS investigators in safeguarding national integrity. Their work against complex white-collar crime is indispensable. To those who peddle cynicism and misinformation: dissent is valid, and holding institutions accountable is necessary. But criticism must be equitable, principled, and evidence-based - not reactive, selective, or prejudicial. 'When criticism is done objectively – with the intention to develop – and empower – will be the first to acknowledge our fallibilities and take corrective measures to improve – service delivery' says the National Commissioner, Fannie Masemola. * Thabo Moetji, South African Police Service (SAPS) Media Liaison. ** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.

IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Thami Ntuli vows to investigate MECs amid misconduct allegations
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli (left) with Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka, who together with Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane provided representations explaining allegations of misconduct they are facing. Image: Supplied Kwazulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli says he will not hesitate to take drastic measures, including reshuffling his cabinet, should he find reliable evidence against his two MECs, Nomagugu Simelane and Sipho Hlomuka, who are accused of misconduct. Simelane, who is in charge of Health, and Education's Hlomuka have been in the news headlines over the past weeks for the wrong reasons. They both submitted comprehensive representations to give their side of the story on the allegations to the premier on Friday. Talking to the media during the opening of two state-of-the-art schools in Newcastle, northern KwaZulu-Natal, immediately after receiving presentations, Ntuli said his office was still studying the MECs' submissions and will apprise the public at a later stage. His spokesperson, Bongani Gina, said the reports were with the provincial government's legal unit. Hlomuka was alleged to have interfered in the awarding of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) tender, while among the allegations was that Simelane abused her position of power while she was the provincial Agriculture and Rural Development Portfolio Committee chairperson to assist her family's farming business in obtaining a loan from the provincial government-owned Ithala Bank. Both MECs, who are ANC leaders, denied the allegations. Ntuli said the action he would take would be determined by the outcome his office's investigation. 'For now, it would be quite early to cross the bridge before I reach it,' he said. When asked if the reshuffle of his cabinet was imminent, he said he would not hesitate to do so if the report of the investigation suggests so. He said, for now, he did not see the dark cloud hanging over the MECs' heads, as these were allegations. 'It is important that we test the allegations and satisfy ourselves that indeed there is a reason to take a particular action. 'Hence, for now, I am happy that they responded, and I am happy that we are busy considering the reports, and we will inform the public of the discovery from the report. 'But for now, I cannot say that there is any reason for me to take action against any MEC,' Ntuli said. In his press statement issued on Wednesday, Hlomuka said the NSNP tender was awarded following due process, which involved advertising and accepting bidding applications. Media reports alleged that Hlomuka interfered with the tender processes to benefit his allies in the ANC, and it was also alleged that a company linked to him and registered in 2015 benefited from his department's tender. He said approximately 20,000 bidders received the same comprehensive evaluation criteria in line with all the Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes. 'All the bids were subjected to a standard evaluation process as set out in the bid document. 'It is also important to state categorically that evaluation and adjudication were followed in line with the prescribed procedures,' he said. He said the department was currently dealing with appeals from bidders who were unhappy about the issuing of the school nutrition tender. 'An unfortunate situation with regard to this tender is that it attracts thousands of bidders who all have to compete for only 1 756 clusters across the 12 districts. 'We note with disappointment that once some bidders are not recommended for the award, they resort to illegitimising the entire process. 'The department, however, takes solace from the understanding that the current stage, which is the appeals process, bidders will be afforded an opportunity to raise issues,' he said. Simelane described the allegations against her as a misinformation campaign against her and her family. She said the family farm received a loan from Ithala in 2008, eight years before she became the portfolio committee chairperson in June 2016. 'In 2008, I was a junior official employed within a completely different department. 'I had no decision-making influence or impact on loan approvals within Ithala Bank. 'Additionally, I had resigned from the family company in 2004 – four years before that loan was issued,' she said. Simelane was also accused of having influenced the termination of anti-illegal immigrants activist Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma by Vuma FM, where he was a presenter. Ngobese-Zuma's March and March movement has embarked on a campaign to block illegal foreigners from receiving medical treatment at public health institutions. Simelane denied having influenced the radio station, which she said confirmed that the Ngobese-Zuma contract had expired. However, she insisted that under her watch, not one, irrespective of their nationality, would be barred from the public healthcare. 'My duty as MEC is not to discriminate against those in need, or to choose who should be allowed healthcare – it is to uphold the Constitution. 'I agree that illegal immigration is a problem in our country, but we cannot turn away human beings in need of medical treatment, [and] I will always fight for a healthcare system that is just, fair, and accessible. 'And while peaceful protest is allowed, blocking access to hospitals is not,' said Simelane.


The South African
2 days ago
- The South African
Gareth Cliff speaks out on 'murdered' black farmer
Gareth Cliff has spoken out about Tshwane farmer Jerry Boshoga, who was kidnapped last year. This week, reports emerged that the businessman had been murdered, claims police have labelled 'misinformation'. Cliff's comments come weeks after he spoke to Piers Morgan on a panel discussion about allegations of 'white genocide' and concerns of farm murders in South Africa. He also addressed legislation he believes 'discriminates' against white South Africans. In an X post, Gareth Cliff reacted to a post about Tshwane farmer Jerry Boshoga. In allegations that authorities have since disputed, X user @Lebona_cabonena posted: 'Jerry Boshoga, a prominent farmer and businessman who went missing in November, has been found dead'. Cliff retweeted the post, adding: 'Tragic. Our government needs to take farm murders seriously.' Unbeknownst to Gareth Cliff, the South African police have cautioned South Africans about reposting 'fake news' about the farmer. It shared in a statement this week: 'Unverified social media accounts have shared misleading and false information claiming that Mr Boshoga has been found deceased. 'The SAPS can confirm that the investigation into his kidnapping is still at a very sensitive stage, and the businessman has not been found alive nor deceased. We therefore call on all social media users to STOP THE SPREAD OF UNVERIFIED INFORMATION'. According to the SABC, Tshwane farmer Jerry Boshoga was reportedly kidnapped on 18 November last year. After his disappearance, videos of the 46-year-old being gagged and tortured went viral. His alleged kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of R25 million, but reduced it to R10 million. In one distressing clip, Boshoga pleaded with his mother, 'Please pay, pay now so they can release me. It is too bad. I really need you, please, mother. Please come and pay. Please pay everything that they want. I am begging you …' Police have confirmed that the investigation into Boshoga's disappearance is active and 'sensitive'. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.