Payment issues resolved for KZN’s National School Nutrition Programme service providers
KZN Department of Education updates payment status for National School Nutrition Programme service providers.
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The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has updated the status of payments to National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) service providers following alleged food shortages due to payment issues.
In a statement, the KZN department said as of April 24, 2025, 78% of payments (R161 million out of R205 million) were properly handled.
Attempts to complete remaining payments on April 25 and May 2 failed owing to technical issues related to the introduction of BAS Version 6, an upgrade from BAS Version 5. The National Treasury's IT staff is working around the clock to fix system faults.
The payment run is reportedly set for Monday, May 5, and all unpaid service providers will get reimbursements on May 8.
The department said that it maintains complete records of all unpaid service providers. These lists have been shared with district offices to keep affected service providers aware and prevent interruptions in meals for learners.
Head of Department of Education in KZN Nkosinathi Ngcobo said he acknowledges the concerns raised by valued service providers.
"We wish to assure them that the department is doing everything possible to resolve the technical glitches affecting payment processes. The problem has nothing to do with the financial difficulties of the department, for the NSNP, is paid from the grant allocation.
"We remain committed to transparency, timeous communication, and the uninterrupted provision of meals to our learners across the province. As a department, we would like to thank all stakeholders for their patience and cooperation as we work to stabilise the system and maintain the integrity of the National School Nutrition Programme," said Ngcobo.
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