The Service Providers Association in KwaZulu-Natal says some suppliers involved in the National School Nutrition Programme are still awaiting payment for services rendered in the previous financial year, despite promises from the provincial Department of Education.
According to the department, 78% of the payments were processed last month, but delays in the remaining 22% have been blamed on technical challenges with a newly introduced financial system.
Frustrated by the ongoing delays, affected suppliers staged a sit-in protest on Monday at district education offices across the province. The association’s representative, Thabang Mcwabe, criticised the department for what he called a lack of accountability.
“It’s unacceptable that service providers are expected to feed learners for months without pay, only to receive attention after staging sit-ins. Blaming system failures is no longer a valid excuse—this points to a deeper issue around competence and quality control within the department,” said Mcwabe.
In response, KZN Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi confirmed that the remaining payments are being processed. “The payment run on May 6 was successful. The outstanding service providers—comprising the final 22%—will receive their payments by Friday, May 9,” he said.
The department has faced previous criticism over the administration of the school feeding scheme, which serves hundreds of thousands of learners across the province.