The school nutrition Programme in KZN benefits around 2 million learners.
As KZN education MEC Sipho Hlomuka waits to hear whether he will be sanctioned by Premier Thami Ntuli, his department has denied allegations of tender corruption.
It is alleged that politically connected companies were awarded National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) contracts in an alleged attempt to garner support for his bid to become ANC provincial chairperson.
Political parties in the KZN legislature are demanding an investigation into the tender process, and the minister of basic education, Siviwe Gwarube, has also requested answers from the province.
On Wednesday, the provincial Head of Department, Nkosinathi Ngcobo, said all correct procedures were followed in the awarding of the contracts.
“From the outset, it is important that we place on record the fact that the process has been done in line with all the procurement processes and relevant prescripts.
“The process undertaken had various stages, which included the advertising of the tender, after which every eligible South African was at liberty to apply.
“It is also very important to indicate that after the advertisement of the bid, all bidders were invited to the compulsory briefing sessions in all 12 Districts, where all the bidders were taken through the requirements of the bid,” Ngcobo said.
Twenty thousand bids received for NSNP tender
He claimed 20 000 bids were subjected to the same comprehensive evaluation criteria in line with all the Supply Chain Management (SCM) processes.
“All the bids were subjected to a standard evaluation process as set out in the bid document. It is also important to state categorically that evaluation and adjudication were followed in line with the prescribed procedures,” he said.
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The department will respond to all aggrieved bidders
Ngcobo said he is aware that some bidders may not be happy with the outcomes of the bidding process.
“The Department is currently at a stage where it is dealing with the appeals or objections. An unfortunate situation with regard to this tender is that it attracts thousands of bidders who all have to compete for only 1 756 clusters across the 12 Districts.
“We note with disappointment that once some bidders are not recommended for the award, they resort to illegitimasing the entire process,” he said.
Ngcobo said the department would respond to Gwarube’s interrogation of the tender process.
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