Please find attached English and isiZulu soundbites by Sakhile Mngadi MPL.
– The Bid Appeals Tribunal process examining disputes and alleged irregularities postponed once again.
– Ongoing delays are prolonging uncertainty for schools.
– The DA will submit parliamentary questions to obtain a full breakdown of the Department of Education’s legal costs.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal notes with growing concern reports from stakeholders that today’s proceedings before the Provincial Treasury Bid Appeals Tribunal relating to the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) tender were postponed once again.
This matter has now dragged on for months, creating uncertainty for service providers, schools, and ultimately the more than 2.4 million learners who rely on the NSNP for a daily meal. While the DA respects the right of all parties to pursue lawful appeals and objections, the prolonged delays are undermining confidence in the process and preventing much-needed stability within one of the province’s most important learner support programmes.
The concerns raised by affected stakeholders regarding the conduct, cost and duration of this process cannot simply be ignored. The public has a right to know how much the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has spent on legal representation, consultations and related costs arising from the ongoing disputes surrounding the tender process.
For this reason, the DA is submitting parliamentary questions to obtain a full breakdown of all legal expenses incurred by the department in relation to the NSNP tender, appeals and associated litigation. See question to Treasury (here) and to the Department of Education (here)
The DA reiterates that the interests of learners must remain paramount. We call on the Bid Appeals Tribunal to conclude its work as a matter of urgency and for all parties to respect the final outcome. KwaZulu-Natal cannot afford endless litigation and uncertainty while schools, suppliers and vulnerable learners are left in limbo.
The province needs transparency, accountability and a final resolution that restores confidence and stability to the NSNP without further delay.