Claims of fishy school food tender

A group of disgruntled service providers linked to the national school nutrition programme in Gauteng has taken legal action against the provincial department of education to halt the appointment of new contractors, claiming irregularities and corruption in the tender process.

- Umamah Bakharia

The challenge follows the publication on 25 February of 49 companies awarded a lucrative contract to supply and deliver dry and perishable groceries to learners in primary, secondary and special needs schools in all 10 districts of the province.

The contract, estimated to be worth billions of rands, is set to run from 1 March this year to 28 February 2028.

The new list has raised red flags among those bidders who were sidelined.

Several of the awarded companies are allegedly non-compliant with tax regulations, deregistered or not listed on the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission database, according to court papers.

Sources said some of the listed entities have ties to politically connected people and corrupt officials.

"There's a pattern of manipulation here - entities that don't exist or shouldn't qualify have been fast-tracked, and we believe this points to a deliberate attempt to loot public funds," said one of the unsuccessful bidders, who asked not to be named for fear of reprisal.

The bidders argue that the integrity of the procurement process has been compromised and are asking the courts to freeze any appointments until the matter is fully investigated and resolved in transparency.

"We want the court to declare that no new players should be involved until the process is complete and above board," said the source.

In a statement, the Gauteng department of education spokesperson, Steve Mabona, confirmed a delay in the work of new service providers.