Allegations of tender rigging in KwaZulu-Natal's National School Nutrition Programme tender process
The National School Nutrition Programme's tender process in KwaZulu-Natal faces serious allegations of rigging and political interference, prompting calls for immediate suspension and an independent investigation.
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THE National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) tender process in KwaZulu-Natal has come under intense scrutiny, with the service providers’ association is calling for its immediate suspension.
The NSNP Association has made allegations that the tender has been rigged to benefit allies of KZN Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka. The Association has said it is consulting its legal team and will be reporting the matter to the Public Protector.
Asked about the allegations yesterday, KZN Department of Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said the department had only published the “intention to award”, which is one of the stages required in terms of the bidding process. “Those who have issues may raise them following the procedure as stipulated in the tender documents,” Mahlambi said.
“We are noting the issues as they are raised, and the relevant structures will deal with them accordingly,” he said.
The association said the current NSNP tender process had been “marred by serious allegations of tender rigging and political interference”.
It claimed the process had been manipulated to serve the political campaign interests of Hlomuka, with a leaked list of allegedly pre-selected service providers having surfaced weeks before the tender outcome was published.
“That list was confirmed when it was issued on the department’s website last Friday,” said the association’s spokesperson Thabang Mncwabe.
“This really shows that this process has been flawed. It had political influence.”
The association said it is in possession of evidence to support its claims and also alleged that supply chain management procedures were deliberately undermined.
The association has called for the immediate cancellation of the current tender and for an independent investigation by the Special Investigating Unit and National Treasury. It has also urged all service providers who did not receive contracts to lodge appeals with the provincial treasury.
“We are currently in consultation with our legal team for a way forward,” said Mncwabe. “We have instructed them to write to the Public Protector.” In addition, the association wants investigators to examine connections between awarded companies and the MEC, along with his close political associates and relatives.
Mncwabe said names would be made public “at the right time, at the right platform, through our legal team.”
The association said if constitutional and ethical standards continue to be violated, the association would not hesitate to take the matter to court. “No one is above the law.
“The NSNP is a national programme designed to eliminate hunger, not a political tool to buy votes or consolidate power.” The KZN Premier’s Office was also contacted for comment but had not responded by the time of publication.