Opposition parties in KwaZulu-Natal have lambasted MEC for Education in the province over the non-delivery of food to more than 5 400 schools. Thousands of learners in the province started the new school term on empty stomachs last week when service providers failed to deliver food as part of the National School Nutrition Programme in different parts of the province.  

RECEIVING COMPLAINTS 

The Democratic Alliance's Umngeni Municipality mayor Chris Pappas was the first to slam the department over the lack of food distribution in the province. Pappas who is the youngest mayor in the province said, he was disturbed when he received complaints from concerned parents around his municipality after their kids were not served food at school. On Monday evening, an emotional Pappas went live on his social media page where he blasted the department under the leadership of MEC Mbali Frazer for failing the learners. "I just came back from Durban where I was attending a meeting, my phone has been ringing the whole day with people concerned about the school's nutrition programme. "The leadership in this province does not care. We all know that this is a provincial crisis but the MEC has not said anything. It is very sad for me to see children going to school on empty stomachs and going back home still hungry,' he said.

 
TOYING WITH BLACK CHILDREN'S LIVES 

Pappas said there are children who eat once a day and without a meal at school, they sometimes go to bed hungry. "These people are heartless and they keep stealing and playing with the lives of the black children. Their children go to private schools and they are not bothered about the plight of those in townships and villages," Pappas added. KZN ActionSA Chairperson Zwakele Mngcwango also blasted Frazer for being mum on the matter. "While the Department of Education and its MEC, Mbali Frazer have been tight-lipped regarding the matter and who was awarded the tender, it is a concern that the department saw it fit to divert from a system that has been working without hiccups for a number of years, and introduce one that has unfortunately collapsed before it could even take off,' said Mncwango. 

 
LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES  

On Monday, the department announced that it has been experiencing challenges with the non-delivery of food items to some schools in the province. Spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said as a result, MEC Frazer directed the top management of the department to swiftly investigate the root cause and the possible solution. "During the investigation, it transpired that there were logistical challenges encountered by the appointed service provider. "We can confirm that food items have been delivered to 90% of the 5444 schools, although there are reports of shortages in some of the schools like in Ugu District, these are currently being attended to," Mhlambi said.