KZN MECs in Hot Seat: Simelane and Hlomuka submit responses in misconduct inquiry
KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Thami Ntuli, has formally received written representations from the MEC for Health, Nomagugu Simelane, and the MEC for Education, Sipho Hlomuka.
These submissions were requested as part of an internal process aimed at addressing serious matters raised against both Members of the Executive Council.
IOL previously reported that Hlomuka is accused of interfering in the R2.9 billion National School Nutrition Programme tender process, allegedly involving a company he once helped establish. Although he has denied any current ties to the company, concerns have still been raised.
Simelane, meanwhile, faces claims related to alleged improper benefit to a family business and suggestions that she influenced the dismissal of former Vuma radio presenter Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, allegations she has denied.
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IOL News
13 hours ago
- IOL News
Calls for action as KwaZulu-Natal premier faces scrutiny over school feeding scheme scandal
KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli is expected to announce action on the raging school feeding scheme tender scandal. Image: Independent Newspapers Archives Pressure is mounting on KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli to act in the raging school feeding scheme tender scandal following new information that the wife of a deputy minister from the province also benefitted. The DA in the province has revealed that a company allegedly belonging to the wife of the Employment and Labour Deputy Minister, Jomo Sibiya, was suspiciously awarded a tender to supply food items to schools. In a statement issued by the party's spokesperson on Education in the province, Sakhile Mngadi, the party expressed alarm over new revelations allegedly linking Deputy Minister Sibiya to companies flagged as beneficiaries in the unfolding National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) corruption scandal. He said the rot in this process runs deep, and his party was demanding the dissolution and reconstitution of the Bid Adjudication Committee (BAC), with all current members recused and investigated for possible collusion. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Mngadi also demanded: A full-scale forensic audit led jointly by KZN's Office of the Premier. A report on all politically connected individuals, including Deputy Minister Sibiya and other officials, who may have benefited from the current contract cycle. The publication of beneficiary company lists, including directors, tax status, and CIPC registration confirmation. Mngadi said Sesiphambili Trading was registered by Sibiya in 2008 and is currently under the directorship of his wife, Simphiwe Sibiya. This places the deputy minister in the same boat as KZN Education MEC, Sipho Hlomuka. A company run by his family was also reportedly linked to the tender. 'Evidence now suggests that a company registered under the deputy minister's wife's name is among those irregularly appointed as KZN NSNP service providers. The information comes amid widespread reports of politically connected ANC cadres and individuals benefiting from inflated and irregular contracts - a clear sign of systemic and coordinated looting of a programme meant to feed our poorest learners,' said Mngadi. He further stated that this crisis can no longer be treated as an administrative mishap. It is organised corruption, and it is robbing hungry children of their constitutional right to basic nutrition, he added. 'We reiterate our call for the Provincial Treasury to upscale its investigation into this matter and release its findings for further forensic investigations.' He said the DA has also established that several companies shortlisted or scheduled for service under KZN's NSNP do not have MAA numbers - meaning they are incorrectly registered on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) and ineligible. Attempts to get a comment from Sibiya were unsuccessful, while Hlomuka's response is with the premier. Ntuli recently announced that he was analysing a response from Hlomuka about allegations against him and vowed to take appropriate action if need be. His spokesperson, Bongani Gina, said the premier will soon announce the date when he would reveal whether he is accepting the MEC's explanation or not.
IOL News
2 days ago
- IOL News
KZN service providers to expose ‘tender rigging' in National School Nutrition Programme
NSNP service providers to speak on alleged wrongdoing in the awarding of tenders to supply meals to schools. Service providers who are contracted under the National School Nutrition Programme in KwaZulu-Natal are set to reveal on Tuesday how alleged 'tender rigging' led to contracts being awarded to politically connected individuals. The NSNP Service Providers Association will hold a media briefing in Durban on Tuesday. In a statement, the organisation said the critical briefing will address the ongoing developments and revelations surrounding tender rigging and corrupt practices within the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) in KwaZulu-Natal. 'This urgent briefing will unpack recent findings, outline the modus operandi uncovered, and present the association's response and proposed actions to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in the NSNP supply chain,' it said. MEC for Education, Sipho Hlomuka, and other senior ANC leaders have come under fire amid allegations that the allocation of the tenders was rigged to favour those who are politically connected. It was alleged that those with close links to Hlomuka or to the ANC had been appointed to provide meals in schools. In an earlier statement, the NSNP Service Providers Association said it had uncovered widespread corruption and deliberate exclusion in the KZN Department of Education's tender for the school feeding programme. The association highlighted that despite raising repeated concerns, it has been deliberately excluded by the Office of the Premier from making formal submissions, undermining transparency and public accountability. Key findings the association said it had made included: Ghost companies, deregistered entities, and non-tax-compliant bidders being included in the award list. Awardees that failed locality requirements and others that never submitted bids. Politically exposed persons (PEPs) and officials — from DDGs to clerks and their close protectors — fronting companies that benefit from the tender. Bid documents that remain sealed, indicating pre-determined award THE MERCURY
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2 days ago
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Ban on new captive lion facilities draws criticism and praise
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These included live animal trade, particularly for tourism and zoological purposes; consumptive uses, such as trophy hunting and the bone trade, non-consumptive uses like photographic tourism and breeding-for-display; and support services like logistics, feed, security and veterinary care. According to him, investor confidence in the broader wildlife economy may weaken if other sectors feared being targeted without due process. 'SUCo-SA's position is that this decision was not adequately grounded in science or socio-economic impact assessment, nor was it preceded by genuine, inclusive stakeholder consultation. 'We urge government to conduct public socio-economic impact assessments, commission peer-reviewed ecological risk-benefit analyses, and adopt transparent stakeholder forums where industry, rural communities and scientists co-develop policy. 'Sound biodiversity policy must integrate evidence, ethics, and economics, not ideology,' he said. Swart added that SUCo-SA believed captive lion facilities still had a legitimate role to play. 'This is particularly [so] in conservation education and outreach, research under ethical frameworks, and a regulated trade, where welfare standards and biosecurity are enforced. The focus should be on improving standards and enforcement, not eliminating legal activities altogether.' Cautious optimism from conservationists Dr Louise de Waal, director and campaign manager of the documentary Blood Lions, said George's announcement on the progress of the prohibition notice for new captive lion facilities was a step in the right direction and showed his commitment to ultimately phasing out the industry. 'We applaud the minister for his commitment to seeing former minister [Barbara] Creecy's vision, to stop the domestication of our iconic lion, through to its conclusion. 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For the industry to be made illegal, the minister will need to change existing legislation, which will most likely take about two years due to the procedural process that needs to be adhered to. This will then be followed by a phase-out process of the industry, which could take another five years or so.' She explained that phasing out an industry that had been allowed to grow for decades couldn't happen overnight and that it needed to be done responsibly for both the animals and people involved. 'In addition, we are hopeful that the minister will extend the closure of the industry to other big cats, so we will not be facing a similar problem in the near future with just a different species, like tigers. 'Unfortunately, the past has proven that this industry indeed includes actors who are willing to take the illegal route and those people will most likely not be deterred by the closure of the industry. Illegal wildlife trade is a global issue that requires specialist enforcement agencies to work together. Under our current law enforcement system, this will be extremely challenging to be rooted out altogether,' De Waal concluded. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
