Latest news with #SiphoHlomuka
IOL News
13 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
KZN Department of Education rebuilding schools damaged by natural disasters
Ngaqa Primary School in Mtubatuba in northern KwaZulu-Natal was ravaged by a storm that swept through Zululand and uMkhanyakude districts in 2023. Image: Supplied In a bid to transform the educational landscape of KwaZulu-Natal, MEC Sipho Hlomuka committed to focusing on schools affected by natural disasters in his R66 billion budget for the 2025/26 fiscal year. Although faced with a substantial allocation for salaries, the department is also committed to addressing infrastructure deficits that have long plagued schools in the region. Hlomuka allocated R2,8 billion for infrastructure development, saying the department is actively working to repair schools that have been damaged by natural disasters such as storms, floods, and tornadoes. '... We have successfully repaired a number of schools, among which are Nqobile Primary School in uThukela District, which is now 100% completed, Gloeckner Combined School, and Qhozo High School, also in uThukela District and 100% complete,' Hlomuka said. 'In Zululand District, we have successfully completed the Zombode Primary School, Ngoza Primary School and Philibana Primary School, whilst Mhlabanisa Secondary School is at 80% construction. 'In uMzinyathi District, we are at 76% construction at the Mkhonjane Primary School, whilst at Echwebeni Primary School in uMkhanyakude, the construction is currently at 95%.' The department is also constructing 21 new schools. 'In some instances, we have had to replace makeshift schools that were not conducive to teaching and learning. Some of the new schools that we are building are Vimbukhalo Primary School in uThukela District, which is now 96% complete, Cliffdale Secondary School in Pinetown District at 65%, Umzokhanyayo Secondary School in Harry Gwala at 45%, Sidingulwazi Primary in uThukela District at 56% and Zizamele Primary School in Harry Gwala District, which is at 60%,' Hlomuka said. 'Additionally, there are 133 schools undergoing major refurbishment and rehabilitation across the province.' Hlomuka also said the Cost of Compensation of Employees (COE) remains the major cost driver for the Department, accounting for close to 90% of this budget. 'A total of R56 billion goes towards paying employee salaries,' Hlomuka said. DA KZN education spokesperson Sakhile Mngadi said: 'While the centrality of educators is undisputed, the lack of growth in key areas like infrastructure, inclusive education and skills development is alarming,' Mngadi said. 'KZN cannot sustain an education system where nearly all the budget is spent on salaries - without evidence of improved learning outcomes or better classroom conditions. KZN continues to suffer from overcrowded schools, decaying infrastructure, and dropout rates nearing 50% between Grades 10 and 12.' [email protected]
IOL News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- IOL News
KZN Education Department defends tender process for National School Nutrition Programme
DA KZN demands urgent intervention from Minister Gwarube over alleged corruption in the school nutrition programme, calling for accountability and protection of learners' right to food. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has sought to defend the process followed to award tenders for the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP), stating that the process was above board. In a statement, the department addressed allegations raised on social media platforms and some mainstream media organisations alleging that irregularities were involved in the manner in which the NSNP tender was processed. The MEC for the department, Sipho Hlomuka, has come under fire amid allegations that some of those awarded tenders had close links to him or to the ANC. There have been growing calls for the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Thami Ntuli, to intervene in the matter. He recently stated that he had asked for a report on the issue from the MEC. The department confirmed that it had received written questions from the Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube and Ntuli and said it would respond accordingly. 'From the outset, it is important that we place on record the fact that the process has been conducted in line with all the procurement processes and relevant prescripts.' 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. 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. Advertisement 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. 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 ✕ The department stated that the process undertaken had various stages, which included the advertising of the tender, after which every eligible South African was at liberty to apply. It said after the advertisement of the bid, all bidders were invited to compulsory briefing sessions in all 12 districts, where they were taken through the requirements of the bid. 'All the bids received, amounting to approximately 20,000, were subjected to 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,' the statement continued. It added that the department is currently at a stage where it is dealing with appeals or objections. An unfortunate situation regarding 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 delegitimising the entire process. The department, however, takes solace from the understanding that at the current stage, which is the appeals process, bidders will be afforded the opportunity to raise issues. While it is within their rights, in terms of the law, to raise their grievances after being unsuccessful, it is unfortunate that some resort to the circulation of misinformation. 'The department wants to place on record that it will respond to all the bidders who would have submitted their objections or appeals to the Bid Appeals Tribunal convened under the auspices of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Treasury,' the statement concluded. THE MERCURY
The Citizen
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Feeding scheme or feeding scam: KZN education department responds to food tender ‘corruption'
The school nutrition Programme in KZN benefits around 2 million learners. As KZN education MEC Sipho Hlomuka waits to hear whether he will be sanctioned by Premier Thami Ntuli, his department has denied allegations of tender corruption. It is alleged that politically connected companies were awarded National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) contracts in an alleged attempt to garner support for his bid to become ANC provincial chairperson. Political parties in the KZN legislature are demanding an investigation into the tender process, and the minister of basic education, Siviwe Gwarube, has also requested answers from the province. On Wednesday, the provincial Head of Department, Nkosinathi Ngcobo, said all correct procedures were followed in the awarding of the contracts. 'From the outset, it is important that we place on record the fact that the process has been done in line with all the procurement processes and relevant prescripts. 'The process undertaken had various stages, which included the advertising of the tender, after which every eligible South African was at liberty to apply. 'It is also very important to indicate that after the advertisement of the bid, all bidders were invited to the compulsory briefing sessions in all 12 Districts, where all the bidders were taken through the requirements of the bid,' Ngcobo said. Twenty thousand bids received for NSNP tender He claimed 20 000 bids were subjected to 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. ALSO READ: Julius Malema's message to KZN police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi The department will respond to all aggrieved bidders Ngcobo said he is aware that some bidders may not be happy with the outcomes of the bidding process. 'The Department is currently at a stage where it is dealing with the appeals or objections. 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 illegitimasing the entire process,' he said. Ngcobo said the department would respond to Gwarube's interrogation of the tender process. NOW READ: Higher education minster accused of covering up tender irregularities — report
eNCA
2 days ago
- Business
- eNCA
Whistleblower flagged school nutrition scandal in 2019
DURBAN - KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has received explanations from two MECs accused of tender irregularities. Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka is accused of interfering in an almost R3-billion nutrition programme. A company he co-founded is involved in the bidding process. On the other hand, Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane is being questioned about her family business. It allegedly benefited improperly from government contracts. In 2019, whistleblower Thabiso Zulu warned in an exclusive interview with eNCA that the school nutrition tenders were a ticking time bomb. "It remains a criminal site over the years that school nutrition has been turned into a tenderpreneur syndicate where those who are connected to politicians are making their money," Zulu said.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Corruption allegations threaten the ANC's renewal campaign in KZN
Under fire education MEC Sipho Hlomuka Image: Independent Newspapers Archives The African National Congress (ANC) in KZN faces a potentially catastrophic blow to its image and ongoing renewal campaign, as fresh allegations of corruption against key leaders surface. Siphamandla Zondi, a prominent political analyst, offered a stark assessment, asserting that the continuing association of the party with corruption diminishes its prospects for recovery following the dismal performance in the 2024 elections. Zondi's comments emerged in the wake of serious accusations against KwaZulu-Natal MEC of education, Sipho Hlomuka, and Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane-Mngadi. Both leaders are now at the centre of investigations that could significantly tarnish the party's reputation and deepen public distrust. 'The responses to these allegations can either make them stick in the court of public opinion or diminish them. 'But this is damaging indeed," Zondi remarked. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ He underscored the urgency for the ANC to dissociate itself from any acts of corruption and to ensure accountability amongst its leaders, especially given that the party's own renewal programme mandates such actions. Zondi insisted that the ANC should promptly initiate an internal investigation into the allegations and refer the two MECs to its integrity commission. 'It is in the interest of the two MECs to have their names cleared, and it is in the ANC's interest to clear its own name quickly,' he stated, emphasising the critical importance of a swift response to uphold the credibility of the government. Political turbulence surrounded Hlomuka and Simelane, after claims surfaced that their personal business affiliations may have improperly influenced government contract awards. In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Hlomuka contended that he had distanced himself from the implicated company, insisting he was no longer part of it and was unaware of its ongoing activities. 'If it has received any tenders, that information will come out in the investigation,' he added, urging patience for the forthcoming revelations. Provincial Premier Thami Ntuli has demanded thorough explanations from both MECs following the serious corruption allegations. Asserting the need for transparency, Ntuli confirmed that he had proactively reached out to both executives for clarification as soon as he became aware of the claims. 'I would be writing to them so that they give me full information regarding the allegations,' he noted, awaiting their responses by today. Hlomuka's spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi confirmed that the premier had written to the MEC requesting him to give explanation on the allegations regarding school nutrition. Mahlambi alluded that the MEC has also responded to the letter. 'The MEC (Hlomuka) has responded to the letter from the Premier, however, we must give both the MEC and Premier space to process the responses as per premier's request. "What we also need to indicate is that the current tender or contract that is in place now is not disturbed,' said Mhlambi. Further complicating matters for the ANC, Health MEC Simelane faces scrutiny over her family's potential improper gain from government contracts. The implications of her alleged business ties could further erode public confidence in the party's commitment to ethical governance. Zondi reiterated the need for the party to reconcile these allegations with its core promise of ethical governance, which he stated was crucial for any hopes of renewal. 'Defending its own is to assume their innocence without verification,' he cautioned. 'It has caused the party many problems in the past.' With mounting pressure from within and outside the party, the ANC's response to the allegations against Hlomuka and Simelane will be pivotal in shaping its future. Simelane-Mngadi rubbished the allegations against her, threatening to take legal action against people who have implicated her in the Ithala corruption loan scandal. It was alleged that the MEC used her position of power as the chairperson of the Agriculture and Rural Development portfolio committee some years ago to get funding for a family company in Ithala and in government. The allegations surfaced on social media platforms a week ago. However, in statements she issued last week, she reiterated that the allegations were false and malicious, saying she was exploring the legal route. 'I'm exploring legal action to protect my name and my integrity and take to task those who deliberately and nefariously wish to impugn my good name. In our system of government, the separation of powers is clear, MPLs, including committee chairpersons, have no role in Supply Chain Management or operational decisions of departments. Therefore, I could not have influenced any procurement processes."These facts are easily verifiable, and their deliberate distortion shows that this is not an attempt to inform the public, but rather a well-calculated political smear campaign,' concluded Simelane-Mngadi. ANC in the province fail to comment by the time of publication. DAILY NEWS
