Service providers in KZN for school nutrition programmes say they are battling to continue providing food to the schools they supply as they haven't received payment from the education department.

IN DEBT

The chairperson of the feeding scheme association, Lindani Matiwana, explained that some are owed payment from last month while others say they haven't been paid since April.

They say many service providers are battling with high debt and some are even having their properties repossessed.

"We've been feeding continuously irrespective of the challenges that we've been facing because of the non-payments. We've done everything that we can, going to loan sharks, overdraft, credit cards, you name it, we've done it. We've exhausted all our avenues and have come to a point where there's nothing more we can do," he said.Matiwana said the department has been dragging its feet in finalising payments.

"It's a grant national programme and as we are speaking we have fed kids in July, we're feeding kids in August and we'll be doing so in September.The batch of paying this quarter was paid by national to provincial treasury a long time ago. So we shouldn't be having such issues."

INCORRECT CLAIMS

The department conceded that there has been delays in payments but however, blamed incorrect claims for it. Department spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said they acknowledge the delays and have put measures in place to process the payments.

"Some will receive their monies early next week and graduating into late next week but it's a matter that's being attended to and we are in talks with the association. We don't foresee a situation where there won't be any provision for nutrition for our learners come the beginning of the week."