KUSINDA is between the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal and the National School Nutrition Program Service Providers, following the delisting of a lawsuit filed by the organization, regarding the suspension of the school nutrition program.
The High Court of Pietermaritzburg removed the case from the list of cases before it, and ordered these organizations to pay the costs of the case.
The Ministry has accepted this decision because it says it will continue with the program without interruption. On the other hand, the chairman of the association, Mr. Lindani Matiwane, said they will appeal the court’s decision.
“We will definitely oppose the court’s decision because we do not agree with it,” he said.
The Minister of the Department, Mr. Sipho Hlomuka, said that they will be fixing some of the things that affect the program, he said that the program is ongoing and they are determined not to be interrupted.
“We are in the process of fixing and strengthening some things, including ensuring that those who do this work are paid on time. We don’t want any student to go hungry every day,” he said.
He said that they are willing to follow all the policies affecting the program, which he said helps in supporting learning and teaching programs.
The association of school caterers went to court to complain about the irregularity of the system when new contractors were appointed to feed students for the next three years. This program started last year and the new ones must start on Wednesday. This is happening, even in schools there is a program to appoint students who will cook for the next three years.
This organization has complained about the violation of the rules as the Ministry is in a hurry to terminate the contracts of the waiters when the system regarding the complaints has not been completed.
It has also complained about the delayed payment of the contractors who are doing this work.