Some KZN pupils start week on empty stomachs
Service providers say delays in payments under the school nutrition programme are already affecting some school pupils in KZN.
Thabang Mcwabe, who's with the Service Providers Association, says some suppliers are still owed payments dating back to the last financial year which ended in March.
"There are learners that have been left unfed for the past few weeks because of nonpayment from the Department of Education."
Members of the association staged a sit-in in protest on Monday at various district offices in KZN.
Mcwabe, who picketed with a group at the department's headquarters in Pietermaritzburg, says education officials have blamed the delays on issues with a new payment system.
READ: KZN Education cites 'technical issues' for payment delays
"You see our concern is that this thing of nonpayment has always been an issue even on the previous system. This upgrade is just a scapegoat for nonpayment. Even if the system was non-existent, we will still be sitting [with] this challenge."
The department has told service providers that all outstanding payments will be processed by the end of the week.
