The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) Service Providers Association is up in arms against the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal, accusing it of lying that it paid all service providers contracted to supply food to disadvantaged schools. 

Accusing MEC Sipho Hlomuka’s department of “blatant disregard for [the] truth”, the association urged the provincial government to stop misleading the public on the matter in a scathing statement on Tuesday, 28 January 2025. 

That was in response to a statement the department issued on Monday where it claimed everything had returned to normal in schools after payments were made. 

“The National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) Service Providers Association strongly condemns the false and misleading information disseminated by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education regarding the payment of service providers.”

“The Department had announced that payments to service providers would reflect in their bank accounts on 28 January 2025, yet no payments have been made,” the NSNP said.

It added that the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education’s decision to issue such a statement would eventually lead to the erosion of public trust.

“This blatant disregard for truth and transparency not only erodes trust but also highlights the Department’s continued failure to prioritize the NSNP, the small business sector, and, most importantly, the learners who depend on this programme for their daily nutrition. 

“The lack of payment leaves service providers financially constrained and unable to ensure the timely delivery of food items to schools, posing a direct threat to the welfare of learners across the province,” the association added.

Some service providers claim that they have not been paid since November last year. 

However, the spokesperson for the department, Muzi Mahlabi refuted the nonpayment claim. 

Mahlambi said the service providers who have not received their monies will get it tomorrow, 29 January 2025.