DA calls for answers from KZN Premier over smoke and mirrors NSNP probe

24 April 2023

The DA has called for answers from KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Premier, Nomusa-Dube, following confirmation from the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) which is also preparing to probe contract procedures relating to the awarding of the National Schools Nutrition Programme (NSNP) in the province. This, after millions of KZN school children went hungry last week.

The DA welcomes the SIU’s commitment (view here) to investigating this matter. We further note the delayed intervention by Premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube and the National Minister of Basic Education into the NSNP, even though the SIU probe will be significantly more credible.

The DA has today written (view here) to the Premier, seeking an urgent response around the nature and timeframes of her probe. This follows on from her announcement last week that her Office would be looking into the crisis.

The DA expects the Premier to clarify how long it will take to finalize this matter. It is only right that this information is immediately forthcoming, given the provincial importance of this matter.

Despite the Premier’s probe, the DA is not convinced that the NSNP crisis will end soon. We believe that it will only deepen over time and that probes by the Premier and the National Minister are smokescreens and delaying tactics that will cause further misery. It is, however, fortunate that this will be mitigated against by the SIU investigation.

Delays in forensic probes by the Premier’s Office are evidenced by the length of time already spent finalising such matters on her watch. Some are still dragging after more than five years. This cannot happen when children are starving.

In the interim, the DoE has given little to no consideration to the immediate breach of contract by the company allocated the NSNP contract. Many children did not receive their only meal of the day. Those that did were given rotten and expired food, unfit for a piggery, while schools were forced to close early.

The DA expects the Premier to make public the form of her investigation and provide a deadline. With the SIU probe, there is still hope, and the DA believes that this will yield a more timeous and credible outcome than the Premier’s investigation. We welcome the SIU's immediate response to our query.

The DA remains committed to being KZN's only effective opposition and will continue to perform its oversight duties without fear or favour. Our province must be freed of incompetence and needs urgent stability. The people of KZN will have the opportunity to vote for change at the ballot box next year. The DA is ready to make this happen.

Issued by Imran Keeka, DA KZN Spokesperson on Education, 24 April 2023