Latest news with #NationalSchoolNutritionProgramme
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Calls for action as KwaZulu-Natal premier faces scrutiny over school feeding scheme scandal
KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli is expected to announce action on the raging school feeding scheme tender scandal. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives Pressure is mounting on KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli to act in the raging school feeding scheme tender scandal following new information that the wife of a deputy minister from the province also benefitted. The DA in the province has revealed that a company allegedly belonging to the wife of the Employment and Labour Deputy Minister, Jomo Sibiya, was suspiciously awarded a tender to supply food items to schools. In a statement issued by the party's spokesperson on Education in the province, Sakhile Mngadi, the party expressed alarm over new revelations allegedly linking Deputy Minister Sibiya to companies flagged as beneficiaries in the unfolding National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) corruption scandal. He said the rot in this process runs deep, and his party was demanding the dissolution and reconstitution of the Bid Adjudication Committee (BAC), with all current members recused and investigated for possible collusion. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Mngadi also demanded: A full-scale forensic audit led jointly by KZN's Office of the Premier. A report on all politically connected individuals, including Deputy Minister Sibiya and other officials, who may have benefited from the current contract cycle. The publication of beneficiary company lists, including directors, tax status, and CIPC registration confirmation. Mngadi said Sesiphambili Trading was registered by Sibiya in 2008 and is currently under the directorship of his wife, Simphiwe Sibiya. This places the deputy minister in the same boat as KZN Education MEC, Sipho Hlomuka. A company run by his family was also reportedly linked to the tender. 'Evidence now suggests that a company registered under the deputy minister's wife's name is among those irregularly appointed as KZN NSNP service providers. The information comes amid widespread reports of politically connected ANC cadres and individuals benefiting from inflated and irregular contracts - a clear sign of systemic and coordinated looting of a programme meant to feed our poorest learners,' said Mngadi. He further stated that this crisis can no longer be treated as an administrative mishap. It is organised corruption, and it is robbing hungry children of their constitutional right to basic nutrition, he added. 'We reiterate our call for the Provincial Treasury to upscale its investigation into this matter and release its findings for further forensic investigations.' He said the DA has also established that several companies shortlisted or scheduled for service under KZN's NSNP do not have MAA numbers - meaning they are incorrectly registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) and ineligible. Attempts to get a comment from Sibiya were unsuccessful, while Hlomuka's response is with the premier. Ntuli recently announced that he was analysing a response from Hlomuka about allegations against him and vowed to take appropriate action if need be. His spokesperson, Bongani Gina, said the premier will soon announce the date when he would reveal whether he is accepting the MEC's explanation or not.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
KZN service providers to expose ‘tender rigging' in National School Nutrition Programme
NSNP service providers to speak on alleged wrongdoing in the awarding of tenders to supply meals to schools. Service providers who are contracted under the National School Nutrition Programme in KwaZulu-Natal are set to reveal on Tuesday how alleged 'tender rigging' led to contracts being awarded to politically connected individuals. The NSNP Service Providers Association will hold a media briefing in Durban on Tuesday. In a statement, the organisation said the critical briefing will address the ongoing developments and revelations surrounding tender rigging and corrupt practices within the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) in KwaZulu-Natal. 'This urgent briefing will unpack recent findings, outline the modus operandi uncovered, and present the association's response and proposed actions to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in the NSNP supply chain,' it said. MEC for Education, Sipho Hlomuka, and other senior ANC leaders have come under fire amid allegations that the allocation of the tenders was rigged to favour those who are politically connected. It was alleged that those with close links to Hlomuka or to the ANC had been appointed to provide meals in schools. In an earlier statement, the NSNP Service Providers Association said it had uncovered widespread corruption and deliberate exclusion in the KZN Department of Education's tender for the school feeding programme. The association highlighted that despite raising repeated concerns, it has been deliberately excluded by the Office of the Premier from making formal submissions, undermining transparency and public accountability. Key findings the association said it had made included: Ghost companies, deregistered entities, and non-tax-compliant bidders being included in the award list. Awardees that failed locality requirements and others that never submitted bids. Politically exposed persons (PEPs) and officials — from DDGs to clerks and their close protectors — fronting companies that benefit from the tender. Bid documents that remain sealed, indicating pre-determined award THE MERCURY
IOL News
6 days ago
- Politics
- 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.
IOL News
01-08-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
KZN MECs in Hot Seat: Simelane and Hlomuka submit responses in misconduct inquiry
KZN Premier Thami Ntuli is carefully reviewing written responses from MECs Nomagugu Simelane and Sipho Hlomuka regarding serious allegations KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Thami Ntuli, has formally received written representations from the MEC for Health, Nomagugu Simelane, and the MEC for Education, Sipho Hlomuka. These submissions were requested as part of an internal process aimed at addressing serious matters raised against both Members of the Executive Council. IOL previously reported that Hlomuka is accused of interfering in the R2.9 billion National School Nutrition Programme tender process, allegedly involving a company he once helped establish. Although he has denied any current ties to the company, concerns have still been raised. Simelane, meanwhile, faces claims related to alleged improper benefit to a family business and suggestions that she influenced the dismissal of former Vuma radio presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, allegations she has denied.
eNCA
31-07-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Govt to review school feeding scheme programme amid 'irregularities' in KZN
JOHANNESBURG - Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube says her department will be reviewing the National School Nutrition Programme. 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.
