KZN Education cites 'technical issues' for payment delays
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education says it is resolving technical issues that have delayed payment to the National School Nutrition Programme service providers.
It says 78% of payments were made in April, but glitches in the new financial system, BAS Version 6, delayed the rest.
Service providers claim they have not been paid for several months, affecting millions of disadvantaged pupils.
They staged a picket at the district office in Pietermaritzburg today, demanding immediate payment.
However, KZN Education says school meals haven't been disrupted, and service providers are being updated.
READ: KZN Sadtu to meet department over payment delays
Spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi says outstanding funds will reflect by Thursday.
"We tried on the 25th of April and 2nd of May unsuccessfully, but today there is another run. We wish to apologise for the technical glitch that we have experienced."
DA KZN spokesperson on education, Sakhile Mngadi, has blamed the department for poor financial planning and mismanagement.
" I have written to the acting chair of the portfolio committee in KwaZulu-Natal, demanding an urgent setting to expose this mess and force real accountability.
"If no immediate action is taken, the DA will support placing the department under administration. Our children deserve better. Hungry learners cannot learn, and this government is clearly failing them."
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