The KwaZulu-Natal Bid Appeals Tribunal has recommended that the provincial Department of Education’s R2.1 billion school nutrition tender be set aside and the procurement process restarted after finding irregularities in the awarding of contracts.
The ruling was made on Friday following an appeal lodged by 113 unsuccessful service providers who challenged the procurement process.
The dispute dates back to March this year, when affected service providers approached the Pietermaritzburg High Court in an attempt to halt the rollout of new contracts, which was dismissed.
The Tribunal has since identified several concerns, including non-compliance with pricing requirements.
KZN’s National School Nutrition Programme Service Providers Association chairperson Lindani Matiwane says the provision of meals to learners will not be disrupted.
“We’re very happy about the decision, and we welcome the decision. We are looking forward to the new system and the future in terms of reviving the decision that was taken. We will be communicating with our legal teams in terms of getting the guidelines and the assistance in terms of how to go about reapplying for the NSNP Program; we will be in communication. We are very grateful and thankful for the support.” -Reporting by Nomzamo Xulu