Durban - Pacina Retail (Pty) LTD, the company that won the now doomed R2.1 billion tender has decided to pull out with immediate effect, but there are conditions.
The company told the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education its pull-out was on condition it was paid all the costs it had incurred so far while distributing food.
BREAKING: Pacina Retail (Pty) LTD, the company that won the now doomed R2.1 billion tender has decided to pull out with immediate effect. The company told KwaZulu-Natal Dept of Education that its pull-out is on condition that it paid all the costs it has incurred so far. @IOL
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) April 26, 2023
In a letter seen by IOL and confirmed by sources close to Manzini Zungu, the director of Pacina, the company told the department’s head of department (HoD), Nkosinathi Ngcobo, that it was throwing in the towel.
The letter read:
“Dear Mr Ngcobo HOD,
“This email serves to confirm that we as Pacina Retail Pty LTD (sic) have decided to opt out of the NSNP (National School Nutrition Programme) Tender paid by the Department of Education KwaZulu Natal.
NEWS: SIU spokesperson confirms to IOL that they have written to the KZN Department of Education to request more information about the R2.1 billion schools' nutrition tender. He said they will use that information to motivate for a proclamation to investigate the matter.
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) April 26, 2023
“The details of this will follow.
“Thanks and kind regards,
“‘Manzini Zungu, CEO,” reads Manzini’s letter.
The letter was sent on Wednesday amid challenges with the programme which includes schools that had not received their foodstuff, some schools had not received the full stock while others received rotten and expired food items.
The Department of Education in the province is yet to officially confirm the pull out and whether it was accepting the proposals by Zungu and Pacina.
NEWS: SAFTU says it is appalled by the bungling of the R2.1 billion KZN schools nutrition programme which had left thousands of learners hungry. The federation says the provincial govt should immediately terminate the contract of the company contracted to carry out the scheme.
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) April 26, 2023
On the same day of the proposed pull out, the spokesperson of the SIU (Special Investigating Unit), Kaizer Kganyago, confirmed to IOL they had written to the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education to request more information about the R2.1 billion schools' nutrition tender.
He said they would use that information to determine whether to motivate for a proclamation to investigate the matter or not.
The ANC in KZN called for the contract to be terminated immediately.
NEWS: The KwaZulu-Natal Office of the Premier has told ActionSA chairperson in the province, Zwakele Mncwango, that his request to investigate and terminate the floundering R2.1 billion schools nutrition programme is receiving the due attention. @IOL pic.twitter.com/U585rHJ0bU
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) April 26, 2023
It added the department must approach the high court on an urgent basis and make the termination order of the court.
“Therefore after the ANC has evaluated all relevant material facts it has come to a determination that there are serious breaches resulting in the nullity of the NSPS contract.
“The ANC has therefore directed its government to take urgent remedial action to restore the programme that will result in schools getting all the necessary food items based on the specified menu for all five days in a week.
NEWS: DA MPL in KZN, Dr Imran Keeka, says the SIU told him that it is still trying to obtain information about the floundering R2.1 billion schools nutrition programme. The information will be used to motivate for a proclamation that will give them powers to investigate. @IOL pic.twitter.com/OmQBKN9fjN
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) April 25, 2023
“These remedial action(s) must include but are not limited to the following:
“1. That the current contract must be terminated immediately within the framework of the Service Level Agreement;
“2. That the Department must approach the High Court on urgent basis seeking that this termination be made an order of the court;
“3. We are firm in our position that the more than R2.1 billion allocated for NSNP must be used to drive entrepreneurship revolution and stimulate local economic development.
NEWS: SADTU says the ongoing KwaZulu-Natal schools' nutrition programme debacle is an unfortunate situation that schools are finding themselves in, not only because it impacts negatively on the curriculum delivery at schools, but because it impacts negatively on the dignity and
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) April 25, 2023
“Therefore a more district or local-wide food distribution model be explored as a matter of urgency to ensure that all learners in schools are supplied with food,” the party said in a statement.
Moreover, the party told the provincial government that in five days times, all schools should have food.
NEWS: NEHAWU has called on the SIU to speed up its investigation into the R2.1 billion KZN schools' nutrition programme, claiming it smells of corruption. The union also said DoE should urgently ensure that this programme runs smoothly with food reaching every learner. @IOL
— Sihle Mavuso (@ZANewsFlash) April 25, 2023
“The ANC is directing its government to make sure that by Tuesday 2nd May 2023 every school in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal has enough food for the whole month of May 2023,” it said in a statement read out by its provincial secretary. Bheki Mtolo.
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