KZN school nutrition tender controversy 'has been addressed'
The KZN Department of Education has defended its handling of the school nutrition tender amid mounting pressure over claims of political interference.
MEC Sipho Hlomuka is facing claims that he influenced the department's supplier list, to further his political ambitions.
Some service providers allege that the list includes companies with links to the MEC.
Hlomuka confirmed last week that he had registered a listed company in 2015 but said that he no longer has involvement in the business and was not aware that it had received a tender.
Premier Thami Ntuli has since requested a written explanation from the MEC.
READ: Rodgers ‘concerned’ at school nutrition tender rigging claims
KZN Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi says they have received the premier's letter, and the matter has been addressed.
He insists the tender process is continuing, adding that no contracts have been finalised.
"It must be understood in the context of it being a process with stages. There was a stage of advertising, there was a stage of briefing, there was a stage of closing and there was a stage where we needed to advertise the attendance registers. We did that.
"Now, [we are in] a stage where we have advertised publicly the intention to award so that we allow anyone who has got issues to raise those issues. So, we have faith in the processes and mechanisms that the Treasury has put in place in dealing with such matters."
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