The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education welcomes a court ruling that permits the continuation of its School Nutrition Programme.
Image: Independent Newspapers Archives
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has welcomed a court judgment in its favour after an application seeking to interdict the rollout of the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) was struck off the roll on Friday.
The Pietermaritzburg High Court further instructed the applicants to pay the costs of the application. The matter was brought to the court by school nutrition providers who are aggrieved over a recent tender process for the NSNP. These providers were not appointed under the new process and have lodged appeals.
Last year, the providers had alleged that there was tender fraud related to the award of new contracts to provide food to schools in the 12 districts in the province.
But the department has previously denied any wrongdoing and said the process was conducted in line with all procurement processes and relevant prescripts.
The department stated that the court outcome means it can continue implementing the programme without disruption while allowing space for due process to be followed in addressing outstanding administrative or operational matters.
MEC Siboniso Hlomuka stated that although the matter has been struck off the roll, the priority remains ensuring that no learner goes hungry.
He said the department is already taking steps to enhance monitoring and oversight mechanisms, improve efficiency in procurement and payments, and ensure accountability across all levels of implementation.
"We will continue to strengthen the implementation of the School Nutrition Programme and address any challenges with urgency and transparency," said Hlomuka.
The department said that the programme is fully operational across the province. It stated that there are ongoing constructive engagements with all stakeholders to ensure the programme functions optimally and that service providers are getting paid on time.
However, the NSNP Service Providers Association spokesperson, Lindani Matiwane, said they are not backing down and will be appealing the court's decision.
"We will definitely be appealing the decision. It’s not yet over, not by a long shot," said Matiwane.
Matiwane claimed that the court did not look at the merits of their case during the proceedings.
For more stories from The Mercury, click the link THE MERCURY